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09:45

Hiller UH-12E N81959 Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 0 Written off (damaged beyond repair) Accident Oceanside, CA - United States of America Landing Demo/Airshow/Display Oceanside, CA Oceanside, CA NTSB

The helicopter suffered a tail-strike in a power-on landing, lost directional control, rolled over, crashed and caught fire. The pilot (age 54, 14692 hours total, 49 hours on type) and two passengers escaped with only minor injuries.



Probable cause (according to NTSB):

The pilot's misjudgment of the helicopter's speed and altitude during the power-on landing.



Trivia:

The helicopter was scheduled to land in a tomato field as part of an action scene in the motion picture "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes". The crash was filmed by several cameras on the set and the footage was eventually incorporated into the movie.



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