# NTSB MKC85LA207: Fairchild Hiller FH-1100, N424FH, Ashland, KS, September 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1985, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Ashland, KS
- Coordinates: 37.179573, -99.760353 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1796&lon=-99.7604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34026
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34026/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA207

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, cruise
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER LOST POWER AND MADE A HARD FORCED LANDING IN A BACKYARD. THERE WERE NO LEAKS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM BUT THE FUEL TANK WAS FOUND TO BE EMPTY. THE OWNER STATES THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL TANK WAS FOUND TO BE EMPTY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE FUEL QUANTITY GAGE WAS STILL INDICATING THAT THERE WAS FUEL IN THE TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N424FH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N424FH-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N 24, built 1967 (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 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 24
- Airframe hours: 2240
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 274 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Terry W. Eubank
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 5, 1985, 2 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,918 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,843 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 235° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °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 19850903043279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850903043279A), Sep 3, 1985: Hiller FH1100, Ashland, KS, Substantial damage. Landed hard after running out of fuel. Pilot was sure he had fuel because gauges indicated such.

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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