ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 41044
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| Date: | Sunday 26 April 1998 |
| Time: | 14:15 LT |
| Type: |  Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 |
| Owner/operator: | Michael B. Gormley |
| Registration: | N1345Q |
| MSN: | 180 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1969 |
| Engine model: | Allison 250-C18B |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Stevensville, MD -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Easton, MD (KESN) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The two pilots departed on a local flight to photograph waterfront real estate. Witnesses described the helicopter performing abrupt maneuvers at low level near their homes. A witness in close proximity to the accident site said, 'The rotor flew off and the blade hit the cabin side...It was at a hover. The nose angled up, the rotor hit the cabin, and the person came out. The nose pitched up before the blade hit the cabin...There was engine noise all along.' The main rotor hub and blade assembly, with the top portion of the main rotor mast attached, was located approximately 190 feet prior to the main wreckage. The mast fracture was aligned with the bottom of the hub at the static stops and the mast exhibited overload fractures with no evidence of fatigue. No historical records existed for the helicopter. Examination of records revealed the annual inspection and airworthiness certificate were signed and produced by an unqualified person. The owner/operator signed off overhaul of time limited components with no evidence of work performed. Examination of the master caution annunciator panel revealed that the PRIMARY HYDRAULICS and MAIN GENERATOR segments had no light bulbs installed. Examination of NTSB accident records revealed the helicopter was 'demolished' and de-registered after an accident in 1988.
Probable Cause: The pilot's abrupt, low-g maneuver, which resulted in mast bumping and separation of the main rotor system.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB IAD98FA049
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-2008 10:30 | ASN archive | Added |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:23 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 07-Apr-2024 13:34 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Operator, Other fatalities, Phase, Departure airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
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