# NTSB MKC82DA158: Fairchild Hiller FH 1100, N1345Q, Mason City, IA, August 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1982, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Mason City, IA
- Coordinates: 43.15044, -93.189186 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1504&lon=-93.1892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71605
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82DA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71605/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA158

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fuel system,fuel control - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING A SWATH RUN, THE ENGINE RPM DROPPED TO FLIGHT IDLE AND THE HELICOPTER WAS LANDED HARD IN A CLEAR AREA BESIDE THE FIELD. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A SENSING LINE FOR THE FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM HAD FAILED. THIS PREVENTED THE ENGINE FROM OPERATING ABOVE IDLE POWER.

## 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: 168
- Airframe hours: 6800
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 274 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Jerry Lee Alley
- Registered owner: County Of Nassau
- Departed: CLEAR LAKE, IA
- Destination: CLEAR LAKE, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 16,000 total, 3,700 in this make and model, 210 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 235° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 189 °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 19820826042199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820826042199A), Aug 26, 1982: Frchld FH1100, Mason City, NV, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed during emergency landing after fuel control failure. P/N684871.

## 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 LAX88FA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA332), Sep 11, 1988: Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 (N1345Q), Picacho, AZ, destroyed. Probable cause: OWNER/PIC USED POOR JUDGEMENT IN ALLOWING AN UNQUALIFIED PILOT TO FLY THE HELICOPTER WHEN IT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH DUAL CONTROLS.

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.