# NTSB LAX84LA273: Bell UH-1B, N57HP, Salinas, CA, April 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1984, 07:44 local (14:44 UTC)
- Place: Salinas, CA
- Coordinates: 36.640796, -121.620613 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6408&lon=-121.6206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24246
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA273
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24246/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA273

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE SPRAYING A FIELD OF ARTICHOKES, THE PLT HAD MADE 1 PASS SOUTHBOUND & STARTED ANOTHER NORTHBOUND. HE BEGAN THE SWATH RUN BY DESCENDING OVER POWER LINES, THEN TRIED TO CLIMB & CLEAR RISING TERRAIN BEYOND THE LINES. HOWEVER, THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED SETTLING & IMPACTED THE RISING TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57HP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57HP-2013-04-23), registration cancelled 2013-04-23, S/N 61-687 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH-1B
- Registry model: [Bell UH-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1b) (registry code 1181410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 61-687
- Airframe hours: 4806
- Engines: LYCOMING T5311 1100 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Vericare Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 28, 1984, 59 hours before
- Departed: SALINAS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,130 total, 131 in this make and model, 6,031 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19840429016609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840429016609A), Apr 29, 1984: Bell UH1B, Salinas, CA, Destroyed. Helicopter pilot tried to level off after dive over wires. Helicopter sank into ground as pilot attempted pullup.

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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