# NTSB LAX83LA181: Hiller UH12-E, N68024, Kettleman City, CA, April 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 7, 1983, 08:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Kettleman City, CA
- Coordinates: 36.049133, -119.989395 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0491&lon=-119.9894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23670
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23670/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA181

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE BEGAN FLYING ABOUT 0725 WITH 23 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD. HE APPLIED A HERBICIDE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND CAME BACK TO RELOAD. AFTER RELOADING HE BEGAN A RETURN TO THE AREA TO BE SPRAYED. ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER ALL POWER WAS LOST. DURING THE FORCED AUTOROTATION LANDING THE ACFT HIT HARD AND ROLLED OVER. LESS THAT A GALLON OF FUEL REMAINED ON BOARD THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68024](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68024-2018-02-16), registration cancelled 2018-02-16, S/N 1741, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH12-E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 64-15232
- Airframe hours: 2428
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Baldrick Crop Dusting
- Registered owner: Gary M. Doggett
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 13, 1983, 60 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,769 total, 1,900 in this make and model, 111 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NCL, 18 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 19830407011759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830407011759A), Apr 7, 1983: Hiller UH12E, Kettleman City, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on a spray operation. Made hard autorotate landing due to low altitude. Helicopter rolled over.

## Other investigations on N68024 (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX00LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA077), Jan 26, 2000: Hiller UH-12E (N68024), Five Points, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate clearance while maneuvering beneath a telephone line.

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.