# NTSB LAX95LA109: Hiller UH-12E, N5335V, Arvin, CA, February 15, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 15, 1995, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Arvin, CA - Coordinates: 35.080814, -118.789611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0808&lon=-118.7896&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 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29034 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29034/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA109 ## Probable cause The seizure of the transmission due to lack of lubrication from a plugged oil supply line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerial application - rotor drive system,main gearbox/transmission - seized (cause) - lubricating system,oil port/passage,internal - blocked(total) (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis AT THE BEGINNING OF A THIRD AERIAL APPLICATION RUN, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO GAIN ALTITUDE TO AFFECT A SAFE LANDING AND THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED INTO SOME TREES. EXAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION FOUND THAT THE OIL SUPPLY NOZZLE TO THE TRANSMISSION WAS PLUGGED AND PREVENTED LUBRICATION OF THE GEARS. ## Factual narrative On February 15, 1995, at 1430 Pacific standard time, the pilot of a Hiller UH-12E, N5335V, with a Saloy conversion, experienced a malfunction with the transmission and crashed near Arvin, California. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time for the aerial application flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 137 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The aircraft is operated by San Joaquin Helicopters of Delano, California. The pilot stated he had completed two passes and was beginning a third pass when the transmission seized. He was unable to gain altitude to reach the edge of the field. The forward motion of the aircraft had stopped and the helicopter descended into some trees. The aircraft sustained damage to the main rotor blades and to the tail rotor blades. The tail boom was bent in half and the left landing skid collapsed. The operator reported the transmission had seized and there was a crack noticed in the transmission case. It was reported afterwards that the oil supply nozzle atop the transmission was plugged, preventing lubrication. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5335V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5335V-2017-05-22), registration cancelled 2017-05-22, S/N 2009, built 1959 (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: 2009 - Airframe hours: 11103 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: San Joaquin Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,500 total, 4,500 in this make and model, 9,250 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 3 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °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 19950215001829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950215001829A), Feb 15, 1995: Hiller UH12E, Arvin, CA, Substantial damage. Starting spray run transmission siezed. Struck trees. Oil supply nozzle was plugged. Prevented lubing gears. ## Other investigations on N5335V (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 LAX79DVA42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DVA42), Jun 8, 1979: Hiller UH-12E (N5335V), Porterville, CA, destroyed - [NTSB ANC75AA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC75AA084), May 17, 1975: Hiller Acft UH12-E (N5335V), Maunetuk River, AK, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.