# NTSB WPR10CA466: Hiller UH-12E, N6053H, Mecca, CA, September 21, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 21, 2010, 14:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Mecca, CA
- Coordinates: 33.537223, -116.024169 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5372&lon=-116.0242&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 77361
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA466
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77361/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77361
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA466

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle while maneuvering.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hiller UH-12E, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4360122), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While maneuvering during an agricultural application flight, the pilot flew too close to a telephone pole. The helicopter's main rotor blade impacted the pole about 10 feet above the ground. Thereafter, the pilot lost control of the helicopter and crashed into the field. The pilot reported that prior to the collision, no mechanical malfunctions were experienced with the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

While maneuvering during an agricultural application flight, the pilot flew too close to a telephone pole. The helicopter's main rotor blade impacted the pole about 10 feet above the ground. Thereafter, the pilot lost control of the helicopter and crashed into the field. The pilot reported that prior to the collision, no mechanical malfunctions were experienced with the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6053H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6053H-2021-01-23), registration cancelled 2021-01-23, S/N 5230, built 1995 (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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 5230
- Airframe hours: 3531
- Engines: Lycoming VO-540-CZA 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Brad Bertling, doing business as Salton Sea Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bertling Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 7, 2010, 25 hours before
- Departed: Mecca, CA
- Destination: Mecca, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2009; seat: center; flight hours: 23,820 total, 4,347 in this make and model, 23,600 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20100921045879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100921045879A), Sep 21, 2010: Hiller UH-12E, Mecca, CA, Substantial damage. According to the pilot this is the synopses of the accident. The pilot was crop dusting under the wires and upon the turn of his last path his main rotor blade…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 18, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77361. 283 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 283 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337419&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.

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