# NTSB NYC83FA102: Hiller FH-1100, N4034K, Gettysburg, PA, April 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1983, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Gettysburg, PA
- Coordinates: 39.830669, -77.230339 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8307&lon=-77.2303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35040
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35040/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA102

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - rotor drive system,main rotor mast(drive shaft) - overload (cause)
  - rotor system - separation
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF ON A FLT TO YORK, PA TO REFUEL THE HELICOPTER & TO DEMONSTRATE IT TO A PROSPECTIVE BUYER WHILE EN ROUTE. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE. TWO OF 4 WITNESSES HEARD A CHANGE IN THE SOUND OF THE HELICOPTER, 2 WITNESSES SAW THE HELICOPTER SWINGING FROM SIDE TO SIDE PRIOR TO CRASHING, AND 2 OR THE WITNESSES SAW THE MAIN ROTOR ASSEMBLY SEPARATE FROM THE MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT. ONE WITNESS, WHO SAW THE HELICOPTER FLYING TOWARD HIS POSITION, REPORTED THAT IT STARTED TO 'SWOOP' DOWN, THEN TURNED UPWARD, AND THEN THE MAIN ROTOR ASSEMBLY & 2 OTHER PIECES SEPARATED. THE HELICOPTER THEN TURNED OVER & CRASHED. THE 1ST PERSON TO ARRIVE AT THE CRASH SITE SAID THE PLT DID NOT HAVE A SEAT BELT ON. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE MAIN ROTOR MAST HAD SEPARATED ADJACENT TO THE MAIN ROTOR SYS STATIC STOPS. ALL FUSELAGE & FLT CONTROL SEPARATIONS WERE EXAMINED & FOUND TYPICAL OF OVERLOAD FAILURES. THE TAIL CONE HAD BEEN SEVERED BY THE MAIN ROTOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4034K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HILLER FH-1100
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 500
- Airframe hours: 127
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: East Coast Helicopter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 25, 1982, 21 hours before
- Departed: GETTYSBURG, PA
- Destination: YORK, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,500 total, 1,200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HAR, 50 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 19830426016029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830426016029A), Apr 26, 1983: Hiller FH1100, Gettysburg, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Helicopter broke up in flight after what appeared to be an abrupt maneuver. Pilot was demonstrating helicopter.

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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