# NTSB ANC85LA035: Fairchild Hiller FH-1100, N5056F, Glennallen, AK, January 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1985, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Glennallen, AK
- Coordinates: 62.099132, -145.529785 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.0991&lon=-145.5298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4459
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4459/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA035

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - attempted, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
- Roll over, other
- Fire, other

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF PLT EXPERIENCED DOWNDRAFTS AND VARIABLE WIND GUSTS. PLT DECIDED TO SET THE HELICOPTER BACK DOWN APRX 100 YDS FROM POINT OF TAKEOFF. PLT STATED HOVERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT AND THE HELICOPTER SETTLED TO THE UPSLOPING TERRAIN. THE HELICOPTER SLIDE TO THE RT (DOWN SLOPE) AND ROLLED OVER. FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE ENGINE AFTER IMPACT, DESTROYING THE HELICOPTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5056F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD HILLER FH-1100
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 214
- Airframe hours: 1438
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 274 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Gulkana Air Service
- Registered owner: Kenneth H. Bunch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 23, 1984, 50 hours before
- Destination: GKN, GLENNALLEN, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; airline transport, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 16,860 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 16,500 as pilot in command, 186 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 18 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850109000479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850109000479A), Jan 9, 1985: Hiller FH1100, Glennallen, AK, Destroyed. Unable to complete takeoff due to downdrafts and winds. Landed on slope, slid down, rolled on its side and burned.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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