# NTSB MIA96LA191: Fairchild Hiller FH1100, N5061F, Lutz, FL, July 19, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 19, 1996, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Lutz, FL - Coordinates: 28.130157, -82.459419 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1302&lon=-82.4594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38055 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA191 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38055/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA191 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper use of the flight controls (collective and cyclic), while conducting a ground run, resulting in a roll over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, takeoff - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was ground running a helicopter and did not intend to takeoff. He increased the collective pitch, and the helicopter became light on the skids and pulled to the right. The pilot applied left cyclic, but the helicopter rolled over on its right side. Examination of the crash site revealed gouge marks to the right rear of the helipad. Dirt was present on the right rear skid of the helicopter. The pilot believed there was a problem with the lateral trim unit; however, an examination of the cyclic force trim revealed no malfunction or abnormality or lack of movement of the cyclic control with the force trim engaged. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 1996, about 0945 eastern daylight time, an unregistered Fairchild FH1100, N5016, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on takeoff in the vicinity of Lutz, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight was originating from a private residence at the time of the accident. The pilot stated on the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report that he was ground running the helicopter with no intention of flight. He pulled slight collective pitch and the helicopter became light on the skids. The helicopter pulled to the right. He applied left cyclic, and the helicopter rolled over on its right side. The pilot stated, "A later investigation revealed failure of the lateral trim unit which caused the left cyclic to jam, resulting in no lateral control of the aircraft, which was the reason for the accident." Examination of the crash site by the FAA, revealed several main rotor blades impact marks on the ground on the right side of the helicopter. A gouge mark or impact mark was present at the right rear of the helipad where the helicopter was parked. The mark was about 6 inches long and 3 inches wide. Dirt was present on the right rear skid. Examination of the cyclic force trim revealed no malfunction or abnormalities or lack of movement of cyclic control with the force trim engaged. The FAA accident coordinator was contacted as a result of a letter submitted by the accident pilot to the NTSB on November 5, 1998. The FAA inspector stated in a subsequent statement, "During a second visit to the accident site, Mr. Chapman's backyard, I checked the movement of all the flight controls. Reaching down into the aircraft there was initial resistance of movement of the cyclic. I then handed my notebook that I was carrying in my left hand to Mrs. Chapman and repositioned my arm to simulate the approximate position of a pilot sitting in the aircraft. The cyclic moved fore and aft and right lateral direction, there was some resistance in the left lateral direction but with a slight amount of pressure the cyclic moved freely. Mr. Chapman mentioned this point several times in our telephone conversation stating that the cyclic was "jammed" because of the force trim. In this inspector's opinion, under the circumstances and amount of resistance of left lateral cyclic was not significant enough to be a single causal factor of the accident." ## Aircraft - Registration: N5061F (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Fairchild Hiller FH1100 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 223 - Engines: Allison 250-C18 274 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Roy M. Chapman - Registered owner: Air Tractor Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,186 total, 315 in this make and model, 1,141 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 9 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TPA, 15 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 19960719018889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960719018889A), Jul 19, 1996: Hiller FH1100, Lutz, FL, Substantial damage. Ground running no intention to fly became light on skids. Rolled over. Failure lateral trim jammed cyclic. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.