# NTSB LAX86FVM06: Hiller UH21E, N169HA, Salinas, CA, August 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1986, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Salinas, CA
- Coordinates: 36.669612, -121.609123 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6696&lon=-121.6091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24986
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FVM06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24986/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVM06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - lubricating system - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor rpm - inadequate (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT EXPERIENCED A 'RATCHETING' TO THE RIGHT AND A DECREASE IN ROTOR RPM DURING CRUISE FLT AT 75-100 FT AGL. THE PLT MADE AN AUTOROTATION BUT COULD NOT CUSHION THE LANDING DUE TO THE LOW ALT AND LACK OF ROTOR RPM. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED HARD AND CARTWHEELED. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED THE UPPER HOUSING OIL ORIFICE WAS COMPLETELY BLOCKED WITH A FOREIGN MATERIAL WHICH RESULTED IN OIL STARVATION TO THE SECONDARY PLANET SYSTEM. THE FOREIGN MATERIAL WAS ANALYZED AND FOUND TO CONTAIN 'SIGNIFICANT QUANTITIES OF SILICON'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N169HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N169HA-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N HA3069, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH21E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-540-series) (registry code 41534, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: HA-3069
- Airframe hours: 2940
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 340 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Helicair Ag., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 10, 1986, 183 hours before
- Departed: SALINAS, CA
- Airport: SNS, Salinas

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 7,337 total, 3,123 in this make and model, 7,103 as pilot in command, 368 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNS, 5 nm away

## 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 19860812039359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860812039359A), Aug 12, 1986: Hiller UH12E, Salinas, CA, Substantial damage. Ratcheting and power decay en route. Cartwheeled on landing. Foreign substance blocked upper housing oil orifice.

## Other investigations on N169HA (2)

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 LAX89DVM02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVM02), Apr 26, 1989: Hiller UH-12E (N169HA), Salinas, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE SEPARATION OF THE TORSION COUPLING IN THE MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM.
- [NTSB LAX81FVA28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVA28), Mar 11, 1981: Hiller Acft UH12E (N169HA), Huron, CA, 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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