# NTSB OAK75DVA38: Hiller Acft UH-12C, N4785C, Kettlmn Cty, CA, December 31, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 31, 1974
- Place: Kettlmn Cty, CA · KETTLMN CTY, CA
- Location: 36.0090° N, 119.9629° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kettleman City, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0090&lon=-119.9629&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 4, 1975
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 132407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK75DVA38
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75DVA38

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4135  74/12/31 NR.KETTLMN CTY,CALIF  HILLER ACFT UH-12C  CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 20, 540
        TIME - 1630                    N4785C              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 251 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         KETTLMN CTY,CALIF            LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: PROCEDURE TURNAROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL -  475                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - USED                                           CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED                         CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - BELLY                             TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  245                 SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - UPWIND
          PROCEDURE TURNAROUND - THIRD 1/3 TURN
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4785C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4785C), registered now, S/N 312, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER ACFT UH-12C
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12b) (registry code 4360110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V 350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-350-series) (registry code 27043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19741231042329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19741231042329A), Dec 31, 1974: Hiller UH12C, Kettlmn Cty, CA, Destroyed

## Other investigations on N4785C (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 OAK70D0122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK70D0122), Sep 11, 1969: Hiller Acft UH-12B (N4785C), Watsonville, 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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