Hiller UH-12E N6053H

Summary

On 21 September 2010 at about 21:50 local time, a Hiller UH-12E registered N6053H, operated by Brad Bertling, was involved in an accident near Mecca, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 September 2010 at 21:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Mecca, California, United States

Coordinates

33.5372, -116.0242

Aircraft

Hiller UH-12E

Registration

N6053H

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Brad Bertling

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mecca → Mecca

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10CA466

1 person had minor injuries.

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

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB 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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.