# NTSB LAX85LA002: Hiller UH-12E, N161HA, Firebaugh, CA, October 5, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1984, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Firebaugh, CA
- Coordinates: 36.850643, -120.540634 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8506&lon=-120.5406&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): 24566
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24566/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA002

## 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 - crop (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT. THE PLT STATED HE, 'HEARD A LOUD BANG' WHILE SPRAYING. THEN THE 'NOSE OF THE HELICOPTER DOVE RADICALLY DOWN', AND HE CRASHED INTO THE FIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE SITE REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE SPRAY BOOM EXTENSION WAS FOUND ABOUT 50 YDS FROM THE CRASH LOCATION. COTTON PLANT STALKS WERE ENTWINED ABOUT THE TIP OF THE BOOM & IN ITS NOZZLES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N161HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N161HA-2004-08-30), registration cancelled 2004-08-30, S/N HA3061, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E
- 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: HA 3061
- Airframe hours: 122
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 305 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Patterson Flying Service
- Registered owner: Coalinga Commuter & Cargo Airl
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: FIREBAUGH, CA
- Destination: FIREBAUGH, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,978 total, 129 in this make and model, 3,820 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19841005054429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841005054429A), Oct 5, 1984: Hiller UH12E, Firebaugh, CA, Substantial damage. Spray boom struck cotton plant stalks during spray run. Pitched helicopter nose down, impacted ground.

## Other investigations on N161HA (4)

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 LAX94LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA054), Nov 20, 1993: Hiller UH-12E (N161HA), Salinas, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: a fatigue failure of the torsion-tension bar pin due to fretting corrosion. A factor in this accident was an inadequate quality of material utilized in the manufacture of the pin.
- [NTSB LAX85LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA305), Jul 5, 1985: Hiller UH-12E (N161HA), Gonzales, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA82DYM07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DYM07), Dec 3, 1981: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N161HA), Nashville, OR, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA79FYM32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FYM32), May 11, 1979: Hiller Acft UH-12E (N161HA), Independence, 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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