# NTSB LAX83FVG17: Hiller UH12L, N871H, Tulelake, CA, September 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1983, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Tulelake, CA
- Coordinates: 41.79977, -121.460395 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7998&lon=-121.4604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23574
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FVG17
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23574/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FVG17

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS ON AN AGRICULTURAL SPRAYING OPERATION. WHILE PERFORMING A TURN-AROUND, A SPRAY BOOM STRUCK A RAISED DIRT BANK BESIDE A DITCH AT THE EDGE OF THE FIELD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER WAS PITCHED DOWN & TO THE RIGHT, THEN IMPACTED AN UPRIGHT PORTION OF A FLAT BED TRUCK, CRASHED & BURNED. NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N871H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH12L
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1318
- Airframe hours: 5448
- Engines: LYCOMING TIVO-540-A2A 315 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Howard Zweifel
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 2, 1983

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,000 total, 400 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LMT, 30 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830915049199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830915049199A), Sep 15, 1983: Hiller UH12L, Tulelake, CA, Destroyed. Helicopter struck a water ditch bank and a truck flatbed during descent from a spray run turn around.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.