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NTSB Report
July 8, 1983 · Hiller UH 12-E · N64861
Lancaster, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 8, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Lancaster, CA
Aircraft
Hiller UH 12-E
Tail Number
N64861
Operator
Aerohead Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83LUQ04
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AFTER SPRAYING AN ONION FIELD HE WAS DEPARTING FOR THE NEXT JOB WHEN HE NOTED AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM AND A DECREASE IN ROTOR RPM. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING APRX 200 FEET AGL. PRIOR TO LANDING, THE PILOT OBSERVED SMOKE AND FLAME COMING FROM BEHIND THE COCKPIT AREA, APPARENTLY FROM THE ENGINE TRANSMISSION AREA. A TEARDOWN INSPECTION OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REVEALED DISCOLORATION OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY INDICATING THAT IT HAD BEEN OVERHEATED FROM FRICTION.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, AFTER SPRAYING AN ONION FIELD HE WAS DEPARTING FOR THE NEXT JOB WHEN HE NOTED AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM AND A DECREASE IN ROTOR RPM. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING APRX 200 FEET AGL. PRIOR TO LANDING, THE PILOT OBSERVED SMOKE AND FLAME COMING FROM BEHIND THE COCKPIT AREA, APPARENTLY FROM THE ENGINE TRANSMISSION AREA. A TEARDOWN INSPECTION OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REVEALED DISCOLORATION OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY INDICATING THAT IT HAD BEEN OVERHEATED FROM FRICTION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHiller UH 12-E
Tail NumberN64861
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAerohead Helicopters
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO 540-C2A · Reciprocating · 305
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 4 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:51
Weather SourceWFAC