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NTSB Report
December 27, 1984 · Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 · N8126H
La Belle, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 27, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
La Belle, FL
Aircraft
Fairchild Hiller FH-1100
Tail Number
N8126H
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA85FA065
THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT A LOW ALT & LOST ALL ENG POWER, BANKED SHARPLEY TO THE LEFT, LOST COMPLETE CONTROL & DOVE INTO THE GROUND. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT FORCES ALONG WITH THE POST CRASH FIRE. NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST A MALFUNCTION OF THE HELICOPTER'S STRUCTURE OR FLT CONTROLS PRIOR TO IMPACT WAS FOUND. ONE MAIN ROTOR BLADE EXIBITED EVIDENCE OF UPWARD BENDING AT THE TIP, INDICATIVE OF CONING AT IMPACT. ENG TEARDOWN & EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE ENG FAILED DUE TO THE INJESTION OF A CLOTH SHOP TOWEL INTO THE COMPRESSOR SECTION OF THE ENG.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT A LOW ALT & LOST ALL ENG POWER, BANKED SHARPLEY TO THE LEFT, LOST COMPLETE CONTROL & DOVE INTO THE GROUND. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT FORCES ALONG WITH THE POST CRASH FIRE. NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST A MALFUNCTION OF THE HELICOPTER'S STRUCTURE OR FLT CONTROLS PRIOR TO IMPACT WAS FOUND. ONE MAIN ROTOR BLADE EXIBITED EVIDENCE OF UPWARD BENDING AT THE TIP, INDICATIVE OF CONING AT IMPACT. ENG TEARDOWN & EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE ENG FAILED DUE TO THE INJESTION OF A CLOTH SHOP TOWEL INTO THE COMPRESSOR SECTION OF THE ENG.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftFairchild Hiller FH-1100
Tail NumberN8126H
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C18 · Turboshaft · 274
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:47
Weather SourceWFAC