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NTSB Report
May 4, 1988 · Hiller UH-12E · N62391
Winters, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 4, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Winters, CA
Aircraft
Hiller UH-12E
Tail Number
N62391
Operator
Pingrey Bros
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88DVG04
THE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A LOADING TRUCK FOR HIS 16TH AERIAL APPLICATION. HE REDUCED THE LOAD FROM 90 TO 70 GALS BECAUSE THE WINDS HAD BECOME VARIABLE. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED INTO GROUND EFFECT WHERE IT NORMALLY ATTAINS TRANSLATIONAL LIFT. THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND WAS DESTROYED IN THE POST IMPACT FIRE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT STOP THE DESCENT WITH FULL POWER.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A LOADING TRUCK FOR HIS 16TH AERIAL APPLICATION. HE REDUCED THE LOAD FROM 90 TO 70 GALS BECAUSE THE WINDS HAD BECOME VARIABLE. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED INTO GROUND EFFECT WHERE IT NORMALLY ATTAINS TRANSLATIONAL LIFT. THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND WAS DESTROYED IN THE POST IMPACT FIRE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT STOP THE DESCENT WITH FULL POWER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHiller UH-12E
Tail NumberN62391
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPingrey Bros
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-540 · Reciprocating · 250
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO