# NTSB LAX83LA360: Hiller 12E, N9770C, Los Banos, CA, July 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1983, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Los Banos, CA
- Coordinates: 37.070312, -120.840766 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0703&lon=-120.8408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA360
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA360

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,line - cracked (cause)
  - fuel system,line - loose (cause)
  - fuel system,line - leak (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD DROPPED OFF A FLAGMAN IN AN AREA TO BE SPRAYED, & HAD JUST DEPARTED & OBTAINED TRANSLATIONAL LIFT WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN IN A FRESHLY IRRIGATED COTTON FIELD, ROLLED OVER INVERTED & BURST INTO FLAMES. THE 'B' NUT WHICH ATTACHES THE TUBING TO THE FUEL FILTER WAS FOUND CRACKED & LOOSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9770C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9770C-1993-07-29), registration cancelled 1993-07-29, S/N 2160 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER 12E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2160
- Airframe hours: 8949
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Bettencourt Flying Svc
- Registered owner: Al Bettencourt
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; 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: 25,000 total, 3,062 in this make and model, 24,062 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °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 19830727039709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830727039709A), Jul 27, 1983: Hiller UH12E, Los Banos, CA, Destroyed. Engine lost power after liftoff. Helicopter roll on forced landing and burned. Found cracked loose fuel line b nut.

## Other investigations on N9770C (6)

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 LAX80DVA22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DVA22), Mar 8, 1980: Hiller UH-12E (N9770C), Merced, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK76FVM47](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76FVM47), Sep 10, 1976: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N9770C), Salinas, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK75FVM27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75FVM27), Apr 17, 1975: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N9770C), King City, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX74FUM12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74FUM12), Nov 19, 1973: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N9770C), Brawley, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC67A0065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC67A0065), Jun 22, 1967: Hiller Acft UH12E4 (N9770C), Eagle, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC66A0048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC66A0048), Jun 7, 1966: Hiller UH-12E (N9770C), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage

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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