# NTSB LAX83LA289: Hiller UH-12E, N116HA, Thermal, CA, June 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1983, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Thermal, CA
- Coordinates: 33.480476, -116.099655 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4805&lon=-116.0997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA289
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23753/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA289

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TRUCK WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON THE LOADING POOL OF THE TRUCK BEING USED FOR REFUELING PURPOSES. THE PILOT OF THE HELICOPTER STATED THAT WHEN ABOUT 6 INCHES FROM TOUCHDOWN HE FELT SOMETHING FUNNY AND SINCE THE REFUELING MAN WAS STANDING OF THE PLATFORM CLOSE TO THE HELICOPTER HE ELECTED TO LAND ON THE GROUND. IN MANEUVERING THE ACFT THE TAIL BOOM HIT THE TRUCK BED, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL AND THE ACFT ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. THERE WAS NO FIRE AND ONLY ONE MINOR INJURY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N116HA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: HA 3016
- Airframe hours: 1991
- Engines: LYCOMING V0-540 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 137
- Registered owner: J And J Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1983, 18 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,990 total, 4,800 in this make and model, 7,700 as pilot in command, 171 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19830617026089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830617026089A), Jun 17, 1983: Hiller UH12E, Thermal, CA, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed during landing on pad. Pilot claimed control problem and then tail rotor hit truck bed.

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.

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