# NTSB LAX84LA010: Hiller UH12E, N4026G, Los Banos, CA, October 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1983, 06:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Los Banos, CA
- Coordinates: 37.07048, -120.840385 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0705&lon=-120.8404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24057
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24057/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA010

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application

## Analysis

THE PLT LOADED THE HELICOPTER & STARTED A SPRAYING OPERATION. HE STATED THAT AS HE PULLED THE HELICOPTER UP FROM THE 1ST SPRAY RUN, IT STARTED SHAKING & WENT PARTIALLY OUT OF CONTROL. HE WAS ABLE TO REGAIN ENOUGH CONTROL TO GET THE HELICOPTER IN LEVEL FLT BEFORE IT STRUCK THE GROUND & WAS DAMAGED. NO PREIMPACT DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND WHICH WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4026G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4026G-2017-07-12), registration cancelled 2017-07-12, S/N 5049, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH12E
- 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: 5049
- Airframe hours: 1177
- Engines: LYCOMING U0540 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Patterson Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 25, 1983, 80 hours before
- Departed: LOS BANOS, CA
- Destination: LOS BANOS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,290 total, 1,520 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19831010054109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831010054109A), Oct 10, 1983: Hiller UH12E, Los Banos, CA, Substantial damage. During procedure turn helicopter started shaking and pilot lost control causing crash.

## Other investigations on N4026G (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 LAX90DVA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DVA01), Oct 16, 1989: Hiller 12E (N4026G), Huron, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY PREFLIGHT THE AIRPLANE BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT AND MISJUDGED THE FLARE DURING THE ENSUING AUTOROTATION. FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE OIL…

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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