# NTSB MIA99LA111: Fairchild Hiller FH-1100, N4412C, Zephyrhills, FL, March 24, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1999, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Zephyrhills, FL
- Coordinates: 28.639362, -81.990188 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6394&lon=-81.9902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45952
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45952/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA111

## Probable cause

The student pilot's improper use of flight controls (cyclic and collective) during a takeoff to a hover. This resulted in the helicopter encountering dynamic rollover and rolling over on its right side.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of certification, pilot in command
  - cyclic - improper use of, pilot in command
  - collective - improper use of, pilot in command
- Roll over, takeoff
  - terrain condition - ground
  - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command

## Analysis

The student pilot was  going to wash his helicopter in his back yard. He realized the garden hose was about 6 feet short. He decided to move the helicopter about 10 to 15 feet to the right. He started the helicopter and completed a flight control check which was uneventful. He increased collective, cyclic, applied left antitorque pedal, and started to pick up the helicopter. Before he knew it the helicopter entered dynamic rollover and rolled over on its right side.

## Factual narrative

On March 24, 1999, at about 1100 eastern standard time, a Fairchild Hiller FH-1100, N4412C, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 repositioning flight, rolled over on its right side while attempting to pick up to a hover. Visual meteorological procedures prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported no injury. The flight was originating from his back yard at the time of the accident.

The student pilot stated he was going to wash the helicopter in his back yard. He realized the garden hose was about 6 feet short of the right side of the helicopter. He decided to move the helicopter to the right about 10 to 15 feet. He started the helicopter and did a flight control check which was uneventful. He increased collective, cyclic, applied left antitorque pedal, and started to pick up the helicopter. Before he knew it, the helicopter rolled over on its right side.

Examination of the engine and flight control assembly revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical failure or malfunction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4412C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4412C-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N 187, 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: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 187
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: Allison C-18-440331 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jefferson O. Roach
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: N/A

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; student; medical: unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 40 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 28 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 19990324002639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990324002639A), Mar 24, 1999: Hiller FH1100, Zephryhills, FL, Substantial damage. 1969 Fairchild-Hiller FH-1100 helicopter was being repositioned in the pilot's back yard to water the lawn when it lifted off on the left skid and flipped 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.

---
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.