- Date
- September 29, 1986, 07:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place
- Visalia, CA
- Injuries
- 1 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N5385VHiller UH-12E
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19860929049499A
- Case key
- 24868
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
While executing a 90 DEG/270 deg course reversal turn, the plt lost control of the helicopter which collided with the ground. Ground witnesses reported that the plt had completed spraying a cotton field and advised the ground flagger that the winds had changed to a downwind condition. The plt then executed the course reversla maneuver which was described as a 'slow airspeed, tight right turn, followed by a tight left turn.' The helicopter crashed during the left turn and was destroyed by impact forces and post-impact fire. Examination of the helicopter disclosed no evidence of any pre-existing malfunctions or failures.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5385V
- Reported as
- Hiller UH-12E
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 2093
- Airframe hours
- 8,705
- Engine
- Lycoming VO-540-9A, 305 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Registered owner
- Moore Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · August 29, 1986 · 50 hours before
- Airport
- VIS · Visalia Muni.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 54
- Certificates
- Commercial, Flight instructor
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Center
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 19,000 total · 6,856 in this make and model · 190 in the last 90 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 57 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.