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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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July 15, 1987 · Hiller FH-1100 · N590FH

Capron, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 15, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Capron, VA
Aircraft
Hiller FH-1100
Tail Number
N590FH
Operator
James E Stevens
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO87LA047

THE PLT MADE A 60 MPH POWER DESCENT LANDING APCH. WHEN THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED TO A HEIGHT OF ABOUT 10 FT AGL, THE PLT RAISED COLLECTIVE AND APPLIED LEFT RUDDER PRESSURE. THE HELICOPTER ABRUPTLY TURNED RIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE HELICOPTER DID NOT RESPOND TO HIS CORRECTIVE INPUT TO THE CYCLIC. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED AND LANDED HARD ON ITS RIGHT LANDING SKID FOLLOWED BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRIKING THE HELICOPTER. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES.

Full Narrative

THE PLT MADE A 60 MPH POWER DESCENT LANDING APCH. WHEN THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED TO A HEIGHT OF ABOUT 10 FT AGL, THE PLT RAISED COLLECTIVE AND APPLIED LEFT RUDDER PRESSURE. THE HELICOPTER ABRUPTLY TURNED RIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE HELICOPTER DID NOT RESPOND TO HIS CORRECTIVE INPUT TO THE CYCLIC. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED AND LANDED HARD ON ITS RIGHT LANDING SKID FOLLOWED BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRIKING THE HELICOPTER. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:05 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHiller FH-1100
Tail NumberN590FH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJames E Stevens
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C18 · Turboshaft · 274
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data