# NTSB LAX85FA199: Hiller UH12J3, N545HA, Klamath, CA, April 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1985, 05:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Klamath, CA
- Coordinates: 41.590156, -124.059738 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5902&lon=-124.0597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24488
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24488/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA199

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotorcraft flight control,cyclic bellcrank - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS RETURNING TO A PRIVATE LANDING PAD AFTER A RECONAISANCE FLIGHT PRIOR TO SPRATING. AT ABOUT 10FT AGL AFTER FLARING AND LEVELING THE PILOT COULD NOT CONTROL A DRIFT AND ROLL TO THE LEFT. THE ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND WITHIN ABOUT ONE SECOND. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A SELF LOCKING NUT WAS MISSING AND A BOLT HAD BACKED OUT OF THE UPPER FIREWALL BELLCRANK ASSEMBLY RESUTLTING IN THE LOSSOF CYCLIC CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N545HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N545HA-2022-02-05), registration cancelled 2022-02-05, S/N 5045, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH12J3
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5054
- Airframe hours: 2339
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Western Helicopter Services,, doing business as Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 9, 1985, 2 hours before
- Airport: Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total, 89 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point -0 °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 19850412070949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850412070949A), Apr 12, 1985: Hiller UH12E, Klamath, CA, Destroyed. Self locking nut missing, bolt backed out of cyclic control firewall upper bell crank assembly. Rolled on landing.

## Other investigations on N545HA (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 SEA97LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA072), Mar 14, 1997: Hiller UH-12E (N545HA), Glide, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from a power transmission line. Factors relating to the accident included ambient light conditions, which made the power line hard to see.
- [NTSB SEA80FYM12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80FYM12), Jan 17, 1980: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N545HA), Willamina, OR, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA79FYK05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FYK05), Feb 23, 1979: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N545HA), Springfield, OR, substantial damage

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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