# NTSB SEA95LA023: Fairchild Hiller FH-1100, N4258V, Yamhill, OR, November 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1994, 13:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Yamhill, OR
- Coordinates: 45.35987, -123.240966 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3599&lon=-123.2410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 21, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42089
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42089/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA023

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE, WHILE MANEUVERING TO A HOVER, WHICH ALLOWED THE EXTERNAL LOAD CABLE/HOOK TO BECOME SNAGGED AND TO REBOUND INTO THE PATH OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - towing/advertising/external load equipment - snagged (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, hover
  - rotor system,main rotor - failure
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING MANEUVERED TO PICK UP A LOAD OF CHRISTMAS TREES, THE EXTERNAL LOAD HOOK BECAME ENTANGLED IN A BUNDLE OF TREES THAT WAS LAYING ON THE GROUND.  WHEN THE HOOK PULLED LOOSE FROM THIS BUNDLE, IT REBOUNDED UP INTO THE PATH OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES.  SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE BLADES RESULTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO THE TERRAIN.

## Factual narrative

On November 19, 1994, approximately 1325 Pacific standard time (PST), a Fairchild-Hiller FH-1100 helicopter, N4258V, collided with the terrain after the long-line it was using impacted the main rotor system. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, received serious injuries, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The FAR Part 133 long- line operation, which was moving bundles of Christmas trees at a tree farm about four miles east of Yamhill, Oregon, was operating in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the operator, the hook on the long-line accidently became caught in a bundle of trees as the pilot was attempting to maneuver the line to the ground crew while in a hover. As the helicopter moved sideways, the line became taunt, and then pulled loose from the bundle. After it pulled loose, the line shot up into the main rotor, resulting in damage to the blades. The helicopter then experienced an uncontrolled descent into the terrain, at which time it received substantial damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4258V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4258V-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N 60, 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: 60
- Airframe hours: 3277
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C18 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Conquest Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 19, 1994, 96 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,100 total, 115 in this make and model, 1,050 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast

## Other investigations on N4258V (1)

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 DEN81FTK17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FTK17), Jul 31, 1981: Hiller Acft FH1100 (N4258V), Sioux Falls, SD, substantial damage

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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