# NTSB LAX88DVA05: Hiller 12E, N117HA, Firebaugh, CA, May 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1988, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Firebaugh, CA
- Coordinates: 36.84972, -120.540519 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8497&lon=-120.5405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25744
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DVA05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25744/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVA05

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - guy wire (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION, THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A GUY WIRE AND THEN A FIELD. THE PILOT KNEW THAT THE WIRE WAS THERE. HE STATED THAT HE SIMPLY FORGOT THAT IT WAS THERE AND DID NOT SEE IT. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N117HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N117HA-2007-04-05), registration cancelled 2007-04-05, S/N HA3017, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER 12E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: HA 3017
- Airframe hours: 4569
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Patterson Flying Service
- Registered owner: Patterson Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1987, 79 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 19,400 total, 6,050 in this make and model, 19,150 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19880509063719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880509063719A), May 9, 1988: Hiller UH12E, Firebough, CA, Substantial damage. Helicopter struck a power pole guy wire at the end of a spray run and impacted 30 feet beyond.

## Other investigations on N117HA (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 LAX90DVA08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DVA08), Aug 9, 1990: Hiller UH-12-E (N117HA), Los Banos, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A LOOKOUT FOR OBSTRUCTIONS ALONG HIS SWATH RUN.

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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