# NTSB FTW86LA164: Hiller FH-1100, N5068F, Abilene, TX, September 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1986, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Abilene, TX
- Location: 32.3392° N, 99.6744° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from ABILENE RGNL (ABI), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3392&lon=-99.6744&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22088/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA164

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade cuff - contamination (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade cuff - stress corrosion (cause)
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - separation (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - directional control - not possible
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS CONDUCTING SIGHT-SEEING FLTS FROM A RODEO/FAIRGROUND AREA. DURING A CRITICAL PART OF A TAKEOFF, A TAIL ROTOR BLADE SEPARATED & THE PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. HE ATTEMPTED AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING. AFTER SPINNING AROUND ABOUT 3 TIMES, THE PLT PULLED FULL COLLECTIVE, JUST BEFORE THE HELICOPTER CRASHED,  BUT IT WAS STILL BADLY DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A TAIL ROTOR TENSION-TORSION (T-T) BAR ASSEMBLY, PN 24-55106, HAD FAILED WHERE THE ATTACHMENT BOLT GOES THRU THE T-T STRAPS. A METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED CHLORINE RICH DEPOSITS IN THE FRACTURE AREA. THE GREASE FROM THE T-T BAR CAVITY HAD DARKENED & THE CAVITY FOR THE OTHER SET OF T-T STRAPS CONTAINED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FLUID WITH AN UNPLEASANT ODOR. AN ANALYSIS OF THE GREASE REVEALED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF CHLORINE. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT WATER & CHLORINE CONTAMINATION HAD RESULTED IN STRESS CORROSION & EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE T-T BAR ASSEMBLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5068F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5068F-1992-04-22), registration cancelled 1992-04-22, S/N 227 (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 227
- Airframe hours: 2530
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 274 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack O. Canon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 22, 1986, 68 hours before
- Departed: AB1
- Destination: AB1
- Airport: ABI, Abilene

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,870 total, 236 in this make and model, 4,315 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AB1, 3 nm away

## 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 19860906045999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860906045999A), Sep 6, 1986: Hiller FH1100, Abilene, TX, Substantial damage. Helicopter hit the ground after losing control on takeoff. Tension torsion bar failed due to contaminated lubricant

## Other investigations on N5068F (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 MIA77FKT37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77FKT37), Apr 25, 1977: Hiller Acft 1100H (N5068F), Watson Is, FL, substantial 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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