# NTSB FTW83LA247: Fairchild Hiller FH-1100, N543FH, Beaumont, TX, May 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1983, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Beaumont, TX
- Coordinates: 30.099506, -94.170524 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0995&lon=-94.1705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA247

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS DAMAGED IN AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A STREET. THE ACFT HAD JUST TAKEN OFF FROM AN ADJOINING PARKING LOT IN A SHOPPING CENTER. ACCORDING THE PLT THE ACFT LOST ROTOR RPM AT 150-175 FT DURING CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF AND WENT INTO A 'SETTLING WITH POWER SITUATION.' DURING THE LANDING THE ACFT BOUNCED AND SKIDDED INTO A BUILDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N543FH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N543FH-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 43, built 1967 (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)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 43
- Airframe hours: 1915
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 274 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Olen W. Murff
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: HOUSTON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 8,159 total, 533 in this make and model, 8,036 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19830525021069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830525021069A), May 25, 1983: Hiller FH1100, Beaumont, TX, Substantial damage. Entered a settling with power situation after takeoff from a parking lot. Made hard ground contact on a street.

## Other investigations on N543FH (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 MIA03LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA047), Jan 24, 2003: Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 (N543FH), Fort Myers, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight/preparation and his in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.

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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