Hiller UH 12E N138HA

Summary

On 27 May 2015 at about 15:15 local time, a Hiller UH 12E registered N138HA, operated by Slikker Flying Service Inc, was involved in an accident near Wasco, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 May 2015 at 15:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Wasco, California, United States

Coordinates

35.6092, -119.4364

Aircraft

Hiller UH 12E

Registration

N138HA

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1976

Engines

1

Operator

Slikker Flying Service Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wasco → Wasco

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR15LA168

1 person died.

An in-flight impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.  

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The truck operator, who was assisting with an agricultural application operation, reported that the pilot of the helicopter had just finished spraying a small field. The helicopter landed and was serviced with fuel and water to flush the spray system. The pilot departed the immediate area, flying about 15 ft above the field. Shortly thereafter, the truck operator saw a plume of black smoke about 1/4 mile away. He drove toward the fire and saw the helicopter engulfed in flames. There were no witnesses to the accident. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that the helicopter initially impacted the field in a right-skid-low attitude. There were no anomalies observed that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the impact with terrain could not be determined based on the available information.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.