# NTSB LAX92LA288: Hiller FH-1100, N5061F, Van Nuys, CA, July 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1992, 16:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Coordinates: 34.19038, -118.49047 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1904&lon=-118.4905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27681
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA288
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27681/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA288

## Probable cause

THE SECOND PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT CONTROLS AND THE FIRST PILOT'S POOR SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT.  A FACTOR  RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS BOTH PILOT'S INEXPERIENCE IN THE HELICOPTER MAKE AND MODEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - terrain condition - open field
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - supervision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Roll over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FIRST PILOT WAS PRACTICING HOVERING FROM A MOVABLE HELIPAD FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.  DURING THIS TIME THE FIRST PILOT PERFORMED 5 VERTICAL LIFT-OFFS AND LANDINGS.  AFTER THE LAST LANDING THE SECOND PILOT BOARDED THE HELICOPTER AND OCCUPIED THE LEFT FRONT SEAT.  THE SECOND PILOT INITIATED A LIFT-OFF TO A HOVER AND DURING THIS TIME THE FIRST PILOT FAILED TO SUPERVISE THE FLIGHT AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO DRIFT OFF THE HELIPAD TO THE RIGHT.  THE SECOND PILOT FAILED TO APPLY THE PROPER FLIGHT CONTROLS TO ARREST THE DRIFT EVEN THOUGH THE FIRST PILOT REPORTED THAT BOTH PILOTS APPLIED FULL LEFT CYCLIC.  THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE CONTACTED THE ASPHALT RAMP SURFACE AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURES. BOTH PILOTS HAD ONLY ACCRUED 2 FLIGHT HOURS IN THE HELICOPTER MAKE AND MODEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5061F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5061F-1993-11-02), registration cancelled 1993-11-02, S/N 223 (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: 223
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 277 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pacific Shore Aviation
- Registered owner: Miller, Robert L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1992, 5 hours before
- Departed: VNY
- Airport: VNY, Van Nuys

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,323 total, 2 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19920708024609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920708024609A), Jul 8, 1992: Hiller FH1100, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Drifted after liftoff helipad. Main rotors struck ground. Helicopter rolled over.

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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