# NTSB BFO87LA047: Hiller FH-1100, N590FH, Capron, VA, July 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1987, 09:05 local (13:05 UTC)
- Place: Capron, VA
- Coordinates: 36.71096, -77.199745 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7110&lon=-77.1997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11328
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11328/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA047

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE A 60 MPH POWER DESCENT LANDING APCH. WHEN THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED TO A HEIGHT OF ABOUT 10 FT AGL, THE PLT RAISED COLLECTIVE AND APPLIED LEFT RUDDER PRESSURE. THE HELICOPTER ABRUPTLY TURNED RIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE HELICOPTER DID NOT RESPOND TO HIS CORRECTIVE INPUT TO THE CYCLIC. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED AND LANDED HARD ON ITS RIGHT LANDING SKID FOLLOWED BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRIKING THE HELICOPTER. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N590FH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N590FH-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 90, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER FH-1100
- Registry model: [Fairchild Hiller FH-1100](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-hiller-fh-1100) (registry code 3376502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 90
- Airframe hours: 1558
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 274 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: James E. Stevens
- Registered owner: James E Stevens
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 4, 1987, 7 hours before
- Departed: LOVINGTON, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, unknown; flight hours: 1,352 total, 111 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19870715081349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870715081349A), Jul 15, 1987: Hiller FH1100, Capron, VA, Substantial damage. Loss of control of helicopter at a height of 20 feet. Hard landing from a power descent. Equipped for field burning

## Other investigations on N590FH (2)

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.

- [NTSB SEA73AS001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA73AS001), Jul 19, 1972: Hiller Acft FH1100 (N590FH), North Bend, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC70IA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC70IA092), Jun 22, 1970: Hiller Acft FH1100 (N590FH), Delta Junctn, AK, incident, minor damage

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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