# NTSB WPR10CA094: Hiller UH-12E, N440NR, Tipton, CA, January 1, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 1, 2010, 11:42 local (19:42 UTC) - Place: Tipton, CA - Coordinates: 36.068889, -119.261108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0689&lon=-119.2611&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75219 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75219/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75219 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA094 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis While maneuvering at low level over a field during an aerial application flight, the helicopter pilot took his hand off the collective to adjust the sun visor because the sun was in his eyes. The pilot reported that he had used his leg to block the collective from moving as he adjusted the visor. The helicopter hit mild turbulence and bumped his leg away from the collective. The collective slipped down, and the helicopter impacted the ground and rolled over on its side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and cockpit. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter's flight control system or engine prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative While maneuvering at low level over a field during an aerial application flight, the pilot took his hand off the collective to adjust the sun visor because the sun was in his eyes. The pilot reported that he had used his leg to block the collective from moving as he adjusted the visor. The helicopter hit mild turbulence and bumped his leg away from the collective. The collective slipped down, and the helicopter impacted the ground and rolled over on its side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and cockpit. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter's flight control system or engine prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N440NR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N440NR), registered now, S/N 2275, built 1964 (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: 2275 - Airframe hours: 7360 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-540 SERIES 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Costa Spraying Inc - Registered owner: Costa Spraying Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 23, 2009 - Departed: Tipton, CA - Destination: Tipton, CA - Airport: VIS, Visalia Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 19, 2009; seat: center; flight hours: 14,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 350 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 3 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: VIS, 16 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 20100101025799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100101025799A), Jan 1, 2010: Hiller UH-12E, Tipton, CA, Substantial damage. Weather was overcast for the first part of the flight. When the sun came out during a swath run, the pilot propped up the collective with his knee and reached… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 29, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75219. 344 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 344 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324417&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.