# NTSB SEA88LA016: Hiller FH-1100, N35HA, Turner, OR, November 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1987, 17:00 local (Nov 12, 1987, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Turner, OR
- Coordinates: 44.620216, -123.129783 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6202&lon=-123.1298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40757
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40757/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A SHORT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED A RAIN STORM AND LOW CLOUDS. THE PILOT MADE A 180 DEGREE TURN AND THEN ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A FIELD. ALTHOUGH THE PILOT VISUALLY INSPECTED THE AREA PRIOR TO LANDING, HE DID NOT SEE RISING TERRAIN. DURING LANDING THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK RISING TERRAIN CAUSING A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL. THE HELICOPTER THEN DESCENDED TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35HA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35HA-2013-06-06), registration cancelled 2013-06-06, S/N 73, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: 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 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 35HA
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 274 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mountain Air Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 26, 1987, 7 hours before
- Departed: 6S4, GATES, OR
- Destination: S12, ALBANY, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,160 total, 108 in this make and model, 3,527 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19871111063439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871111063439A), Nov 11, 1987: Hiller FH1100, Turner, OR, Substantial damage. Tail rotor struck the ground during flare for landing. Pilot was making a precautionary landing due to weather.

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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