# NTSB DEN87FA237: Fairchild Hiller FH-1100, N5059F, Pinedale, WY, September 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1987, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Pinedale, WY
- Coordinates: 42.859848, -109.859542 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8598&lon=-109.8595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17132
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17132/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA237

## Analysis

THE PLT AND TWO PASSENGERS HAD FLOWN TO PINEDALE TO FISH. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS CRUISING AT AN ALT OF 400 FT AGL AND WAS EXECUTING A RT TURN AT THE REQUEST OF A PAX. HE STATED THAT HE SLOWED THE ACFT, DECREASED THE COLLECTIVE, AND ADDED RT PEDAL AS HE ENTERED THE TURN. THE ACFT BEGAN TO DESCEND RAPIDLY SO HE ATMPTD TO CORRECT WITH FULL COLLECTIVE AND AFT CYCLIC CTL, BUT THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GND. THE POSTCRASH EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECH MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE PRIOR TO THE ACC. THE DENSITY ALT WAS CALCULATED TO BE 9,553 FT. THE BASIC HELICOPTER HANDBOOK STATES THAT TURNS ARE ENTERED FROM STRAIGHT AND LVL FLT BY APPLYING SIDEWARD PRESSURE ON THE CYCLIC. IT ALSO SAYS THAT THIS IS THE ONLY CTL MOVEMENT NECESSARY TO START THE TURN AND THAT PEDALS SHOULD NOT BE USED TO ASSIST THE TURN. WITNESSES INDICATED THAT THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLYING LOW OVER THE AREA THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5059F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5059F-1988-12-01), registration cancelled 1988-12-01, S/N 220 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD HILLER FH-1100
- Registry model: [Fairchild Hiller FH-1100](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-hiller-fh-1100) (registry code 3376502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 220
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18B 274 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Huish Chemical Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 1987

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 221 total, 86 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## Other investigations on N5059F (1)

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 NYC72DGM50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72DGM50), Jun 8, 1972: Hiller Acft FH1100 (N5059F), Jefferson, PA, no 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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