# NTSB LAX92LA152: Hiller UH-12E, N149HA, Watsonville, CA, March 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1992, 05:35 local (13:35 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.950851, -121.719688 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9509&lon=-121.7197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27582
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27582/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA152

## Probable cause

A FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO CONDUCT AN ADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT TO ENSURE THAT THE FUEL SUPPLY WAS FREE OF CONTAMINATES. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS FUEL CONTAMINATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - open field
  - landing gear,skid assembly - collapsed

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL SPRAY OPERATIONS IN A HELICOPTER.  ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTING A NEARBY AIRPORT, THE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A FIELD TO BEGIN APPLYING THE THIRD LOAD OF AN INSECTICIDE. ABOUT 100 YARDS FROM THE TAKEOFF POINT, THE HELICOPTER'S ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS MISFIRING.  THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO DESCEND AND THE PILOT FLARED THE HELICOPTER TO SLOW THE ITS FORWARD MOTION.  THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER THEN SETTLED INTO THE FIELD, COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR SKIDS. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION AT THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED WATER IN THE MAIN FUEL SUMP.  A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SUMP AND LEFT CARBURETOR SCREEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N149HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N149HA-2018-03-21), registration cancelled 2018-03-21, S/N HA3049, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E
- 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-3049
- Airframe hours: 4814
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-CSA 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Helicair Ag Inc.
- Registered owner: Helicair Ag Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 5, 1991, 70 hours before
- Departed: SNS, SALINAS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 7,300 total, 2,800 in this make and model, 7,200 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNS, 15 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 19920327007699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920327007699A), Mar 27, 1992: Hiller UH12E, Watsonville, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Too low for autorotation. Tail hit landing. Collapsed skids. Found dirt and water in fuel.

## Other investigations on N149HA (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 LAX94LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA043), Nov 13, 1993: Hiller UH-12E (N149HA), Salinas, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE HELICOPTER WHICH RESULTED IN OVERLOADING OF THE ROTOR SYSTEM IN A MANEUVERING TURN DURING AERIAL APPLICATION OF CHEMICAL, AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE MAIN ROTOR…
- [NTSB LAX86FVM08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVM08), Sep 7, 1986: Hiller UH 12E (N149HA), Gonzales, 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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