# NTSB LAX88DUM04: Hiller UH-12D, N646JS, Winterhaven, CA, July 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1988, 21:30 local (Jul 9, 1988, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Winterhaven, CA
- Location: 32.7372° N, 114.6378° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Winterhaven, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7372&lon=-114.6378&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DUM04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DUM04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N646JS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N646JS-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N 1299 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12D
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12d) (registry code 4360118) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1299
- Airframe hours: 4081
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 315 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: West Farm Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 28, 1988, 71 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 8,085 total, 150 in this make and model, 7,949 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °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 19880708026539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880708026539A), Jul 8, 1988: Hiller UH12D, Bakersfield, CA, Destroyed. Engine failure while crop dusting. Abrupt maneuver to avoid obstacles. Had loss of rotor RPM, crashed in field.

## Other investigations on N646JS (1)

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 LAX88LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA153), Apr 4, 1988: Hiller UH-12D (N646JS), Bakersfield, 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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