# NTSB LAX85LA305: Hiller UH-12E, N161HA, Gonzales, CA, July 5, 1985 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 5, 1985, 07:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Gonzales, CA - Coordinates: 36.540424, -121.390441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5404&lon=-121.3904&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): 24763 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24763/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA305 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application - fuel system,line fitting - unapproved part (cause) - maintenance,replacement - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - fuel system,line fitting - corroded (cause) - fuel system,line fitting - deteriorated (cause) - fuel system,line fitting - failure,total (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - open field - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor) - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis WHILE CRUISING DURING AN AG FLIGHT THE ACFT'S ENG BEGAN LOSING PWR. AT THE TIME THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 50 FT AGL & WAS TRAVELLING AT 50 MPH. THE PLT MADE A FORCED LDG ONTO A NEARBY PLOWED FLD. UPON TOUCHDOWN THE RT SKID DUG INTO A FURROW & THE ACFT ROLLED OVER. EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT AN AIR LEAK HAD DEVELOPED AT THE FUEL FEED LINE INLET TO THE ELECTRIC BOOST PUMP. THE CONNECTOR INLET BUSHING BEING USED WAS NOT FOUND TO BE OF 'ACFT QUALITY,' & ITS CONDITION WAS OBSERVED TO BE RUSTED, PUTTED & ROUGH. THE INDIVIDUAL(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR ORIGINALLY PLACING THE UNAUTHORIZED PART IN SERVICE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ## 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 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 305 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Verticare - Registered owner: Coalinga Commuter & Cargo - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: GONZALES, CA - Destination: SALINAS, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 15,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °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 19850705029529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850705029529A), Jul 5, 1985: Hiller UH12E, Gonzales, CA, Substantial damage. Engine power loss, landed in field, rolled onto side. Electric boost pump inlet bushing was bogus part leaking air. ## 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 LAX85LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA002), Oct 5, 1984: Hiller UH-12E (N161HA), Firebaugh, 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. --- 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.