# NTSB LAX88DUM06: Hiller UH12E, N14633, Bard, CA, August 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1988, 05:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Bard, CA
- Coordinates: 32.790798, -114.550529 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7908&lon=-114.5505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25734
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DUM06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25734/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DUM06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING HELICOPTER AERIAL APPLICATION, ENGINE POWER WAS LOST. PLT APPLIED BACK CYCLIC AND TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED TERRAIN, FOLLOWED BY HARD LANDING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED LESS THAN USEABLE FUEL REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14633](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14633-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 1584 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH12E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6312869
- Airframe hours: 2631
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-C2A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: West Farm Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Smith, James P
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 22, 1988, 72 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 12,300 total, 3,800 in this make and model, 11,700 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 95 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880803029969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880803029969A), Aug 3, 1988: Hiller UH12E, Bard, CA, Substantial damage. Rough engine on a spray run. Pilot used cyclic to slow down causing tail rotor strike. No engine defects found.

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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