# NTSB LAX88FA332: Fairchild Hiller FH-1100, N1345Q, Picacho, AZ, September 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1988, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Picacho, AZ
- Location: 32.7085° N, 111.4949° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Picacho, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7085&lon=-111.4949&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 1, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25869
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA332
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25869/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA332

## Probable cause

OWNER/PIC USED POOR JUDGEMENT IN ALLOWING AN UNQUALIFIED PILOT TO FLY THE HELICOPTER WHEN IT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH DUAL CONTROLS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, unqualified person (cause)
  - supervision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPART ON A VFR PERSONAL FLIGHT, CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WAS LOST AND IT STRUCK THE GROUND. NEITHER THE FLYING PILOT NOR THE OWNER/PIC, OCCUPYING THE LEFT FRONT SEAT, HELD A ROTORCRAFT-HELICOPTER RATING. THE PIC HAD PREVIOUSLY FLOWN HELICOPTERS, INCLUDING THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER. THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT HAVE DUAL CONTROLS. THE OWNER/PIC AND THE PILOT, WHO WAS ALSO A FAA DESIGNATED MEDICAL EXAMINER, INITIALLY REPORTED TO AUTHORITIES THAT THE PASSENGER FELL OUT OF A PICK-UP TRUCK. LATER, THE OWNER/PIC REPORTED TO THE SAFETY BOARD THAT HE WAS PREFLIGHTING THE HELICOPTER WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WHEN IT ROLLED OVER. THE POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE GROUND UNDER HIGH POWER IN A LEFT, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE PILOT FLYING WAS THE PILOT WITH NO PREVIOUS HELICOPTER EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1345Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1345Q-2013-04-11), registration cancelled 2013-04-11, S/N 180, built 1969 (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: 1800
- Airframe hours: 7601
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 274 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hamilton, William E.
- Registered owner: William E Hamilton
- Airport: Ed'S

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 25,169 total, 24,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19880911070769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880911070769A), Sep 11, 1988: Hiller FH1100, Picacho, AZ, Destroyed. Indicates second pilot was at control on impact. Neither pilot helicopter rated. Helicopter not ceritifed for flight

## Other investigations on N1345Q (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 IAD98FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98FA049), Apr 26, 1998: Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 (N1345Q), Stevensville, MD, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's abrupt, low-g maneuver, which resulted in mast bumping and separation of the main rotor system.
- [NTSB MKC82DA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA158), Aug 26, 1982: Fairchild Hiller FH 1100 (N1345Q), Mason City, IA, 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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