# NTSB SEA88LA106: Hiller FH-1100, N370FH, Elgin, OR, May 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1988, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Elgin, OR
- Coordinates: 45.609001, -117.88932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6090&lon=-117.8893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40828
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40828/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA106

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - aircraft performance,helicopter hover performance - exceeded (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - pole (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS FOR THE PILOT TO PRACTICE FOR HIS AERIAL APPLICATORS CERTIFICATE. WATER WAS BEING USED INSTEAD OF CHEMICAL. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE DURING TAKEOFF IT BEGAN TO OSCILLATE. AS IN PRIOR OCCURRENCES, THE PILOT REDUCED POWER. AS THE AIRCRAFT SLOWED THE OSCILLATIONS BEGAN TO WORSEN ANDTHE PILOT STARTED A TURN TO THE LEFT. THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN AN UNCOMMANDED TURN TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO DUMP THE LOAD, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND. THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A SMALL TREE AND THE TAILBOOM STRUCK A METAL FENCE POST. THE AIRCRAFT WAS VERY NEAR MAX GROSS WEIGHT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT GROUND SPEED WAS 0-5 MPH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N370FH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HILLER FH-1100
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 98
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 274 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Doran Rogers
- Registered owner: Rambling Rotors, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 28, 1987, 100 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,076 total, 12 in this make and model, 1,930 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- 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 19880528023309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880528023309A), May 28, 1988: Hiller FH1100, Boardman, OR, Substantial damage. Began oscillations porpoising and lost control during a practice hover. Hit ground going backwards.

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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