# NTSB LAX88DVA17: Hiller UH12E, N46991, Mcfarland, CA, October 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1988, 17:00 local (Oct 1, 1988, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Mcfarland, CA
- Location: 35.6675° N, 119.2322° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of McFarland, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6675&lon=-119.2322&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25756
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DVA17
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25756/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVA17

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46991](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46991-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH12E
- Registry model: [Hiller OH-23D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-oh-23d) (registry code 4360123) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 962
- Airframe hours: 11805
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 301 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: San Joaquin Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: San Joaquin Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1988, 234 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 2,300 as pilot in command, 276 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19880930044779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880930044779A), Sep 30, 1988: Hiller UH12E, Mcfarland, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on takeoff. Helicopter impacted in high cotton and rolled over.

## Other investigations on N46991 (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 LAX87DVA05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87DVA05), Feb 19, 1987: Hiller OH23D (N46991), Coalinga, 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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