# NTSB LAX84LA440: Hiller UH-12E, N5353V, Watsonville, CA, August 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1984, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.950805, -121.720268 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9508&lon=-121.7203&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): 24373
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA440
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24373/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA440

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE AND WAS FORCED TO LAND. THE PLT REPORTED THAT ON HIS LAST SPRAY RUN IN TRYING TO DO A BETTER JOB THAN ANYONE ELSE, HE CAME TO CLOSE TO THE POLE. HIS ROTOR MADE CONTACT WITH THE POLE. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PLT SAID THAT THERE WAS 'NO EXCUSE' FOR THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5353V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2031
- Airframe hours: 7011
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Bryant D. Pearson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,196 total, 109 in this make and model, 9,037 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19840818041449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840818041449A), Aug 18, 1984: Hiller UH12E, Watsonville, CA, Substantial damage. Helicopter struck a power pole during an aerial application flight.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.