# NTSB DEN85LA079: Hiller FH-1100, N4035G, Steamboat Sprng, CO, February 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1985, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Steamboat Sprng, CO
- Coordinates: 40.449058, -106.819068 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4491&lon=-106.8191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16636
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16636/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA079

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - control interference - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, takeoff

## Analysis

PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO TEST THE HELICOPTER AFTER AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE PLT FLEW THE ACFT FOR APRX 1 HOUR FROM THE LEFT SEAT WITH THE ACFT OWNER IN THE RIGHT SEAT BEFORE THE OWNER DEPLANED THE ACFT AND THE PLT MOVED INTO THE RIGHT SEAT. PLT STATED THAT ON TAKEOFF THE HELICOPTER BEGAN MOVING TO THE RIGHT BECAUSE OF THE RIGHT CG. (PLT WEIGHT WAS 251 LBS.) HE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE CYCLIC FAR ENOUGH TO THE LEFT TO COUNTERACT THE MOVEMENT BECAUSE HIS LEG WAS RESTRICTING THE TRAVEL. THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER TO THE RIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4035G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4035G-2019-11-29), registration cancelled 2019-11-29, S/N 502, built 1982 (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-C20B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20b) (registry code 03081, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 502
- Airframe hours: 207
- Engines: ALLISON C-20B 274 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Glen C. Jeckel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 1985
- Departed: PH, STEAMBOAT SPRIN, CO
- Airport: Private Heliport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 639 total, 15 in this make and model, 587 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °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 19850218003309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850218003309A), Feb 18, 1985: Hiller FH1100, Steamboat Sprin, CO, Substantial damage. Large pilot alone in right seat. His weight caused helicopter to lean, leg blocked full cyclic movement.

## Other investigations on N4035G (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 CEN17FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA012), Oct 6, 2016: Fairchild Hiller FH 1100 (N4035G), Lino Lakes, MN, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The separation of the main rotor assembly due to mast bumping.
- [NTSB MIA06LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06LA126), Jun 8, 2006: Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 (N4035G), Navarre, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inadequate manufacturing of the plates of the tail rotor tension-torsion bar assembly resulting in fatigue failure.

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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