# NTSB LAX83LUQ04: Hiller UH 12-E, N64861, Lancaster, CA, July 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1983, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, CA
- Coordinates: 34.479095, -117.979324 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4791&lon=-117.9793&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): 23881
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LUQ04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23881/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LUQ04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - rotor drive system,clutch assembly - failure,total (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AFTER SPRAYING AN ONION FIELD HE WAS DEPARTING FOR THE NEXT JOB WHEN HE NOTED AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM AND A DECREASE IN ROTOR RPM. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING APRX 200 FEET AGL. PRIOR TO LANDING, THE PILOT OBSERVED SMOKE AND FLAME COMING FROM BEHIND THE COCKPIT AREA, APPARENTLY FROM THE ENGINE TRANSMISSION AREA. A TEARDOWN INSPECTION OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REVEALED DISCOLORATION OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY INDICATING THAT IT HAD BEEN OVERHEATED FROM FRICTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64861](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64861-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 1697, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH 12-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: 1697
- Airframe hours: 3828
- Engines: LYCOMING VO 540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Aerohead Helicopters
- Registered owner: James P. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 25, 1983, 93 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 7,000 total, 450 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WJF, 4 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 19830708030029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830708030029A), Jul 8, 1983: Hiller UH12E, Lancaster, CA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during autorotation landing after main transmission and clutch assembly failed.

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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