Hiller H-12E N61PC

Summary

On 21 February 2000 at about 16:30 local time, a Hiller H-12E registered N61PC was involved in an accident near Byron, 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 February 2000 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Byron, California, United States

Coordinates

38.3392, -119.8306

Aircraft

Hiller H-12E

Registration

N61PC

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Victory Island

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX00LA107

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout while maneuvering in proximity to wires. A contributing factor was the sun glare, which reduced the wire's conspicuity.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot collided with wires and impacted terrain while maneuvering during a morning aerial application flight. The pilot indicated that the accident could have been prevented had he performed a better reconnaissance of the area, avoided distractions, and approached the wires with the sun at his back.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.