# NTSB LAX84LA428: Hiller UH-12ET, N5359V, Delano, CA, August 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1984, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Delano, CA
- Location: 35.7664° N, 119.2642° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Delano, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7664&lon=-119.2642&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24363
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA428
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24363/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA428

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HILLER UH-12 HELICOPTER (WITH A SOLOY CONVERSION) WAS ON A SPRAY RUN WHEN THE ENG BEGAN LOSING POWER. THE PLT HEADED FOR AN 'OPEN SPOT IN THE TREES', BUT ALL POWER WAS LOST THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH ALMOND TREES. ONLY 15 TO 18 OZS OF FUEL WERE REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANKS. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE THOUGHT ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF FUEL WERE REMAINING. THE FUEL QUANTITY GAGE WAS INOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5359V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5359V-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 2098, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12ET
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-series) (registry code 03014, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2098
- Airframe hours: 5494
- Engines: ALLISON C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: San Joaquin Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 1984, 25 hours before
- Departed: DLO, DELANO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,040 total, 1,268 in this make and model, 7,872 as pilot in command, 285 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 18 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 19840804037899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840804037899A), Aug 4, 1984: Hiller UH12E, Delano, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on a spray run. Struck trees on forced landing. Fuel gage inoperative. Guessed 20 min on departure.

## Other investigations on N5359V (3)

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 SEA80DYE32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80DYE32), May 15, 1980: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N5359V), Forks, WA, destroyed
- [NTSB SEA78FYE16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FYE16), Mar 20, 1978: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N5359V), Forks, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC76DAG17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAG17-150436), Jul 21, 1975: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N5359V), Kenai, AK, destroyed

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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