# NTSB LAX92LA401: Hiller UH-12E, N57BA, Coachella, CA, September 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1992, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Coachella, CA
- Coordinates: 33.699352, -116.170982 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6994&lon=-116.1710&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA401
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27775/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA401

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE WIRES.

## 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 - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER STRUCK POWER LINES BORDERING A FARM FIELD WHILE PERFORMING AN AERIAL APPLICATION RUN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57BA-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 2131 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12E
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12E](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12e) (registry code 4360122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2131
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-540-B1A 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: West Farm Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Aries Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 8,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 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 19920926038979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920926038979A), Sep 26, 1992: Hiller UH12E, Coachella, CA, Substantial damage. Struck wires and crashed during a spray operation.

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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