Hiller FH-1100 accident near Dewitt, MI
On August 14, 1998, a Hiller FH-1100 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Dewitt, MI. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 14, 1998
- Place
- Dewitt, MI
- Aircraft
- Hiller FH-1100 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 42.859°N, 84.590°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X10785
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 14, 1998, at 1620 eastern daylight time, a Hiller FH-1100, N8171U, operated by Horizon Helicopters Incorporated (Horizon), was destroyed on impact with terrain, in an agricultural field, following the in-flight separation of a tail rotor blade near Dewitt, Michigan. The 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight originated from Horizon's private heliport near Grand Ledge, Michigan, at 1607, and was en route to the Saint Johns Mint Festival, Saint Johns, Michigan. A witness, north of the impact area, stated that he was outside his residence when he heard a loud explosion. When he looked up, he saw the helicopter with pieces flying from it and then crash. He then went inside and called the police. A second witness reported that he was at his residence located southwest of the impact area when he saw the helicopter fly over. He stated that the helicopter was traveling in a northeasterly direction. He heard what he thought sounded something like a gunshot sound and then noticed that the helicopter was going down. A third witness, who resides in an area located south of the impact area, stated that he was inside his residence looking through his sliding glass doors when he noticed the helicopter going down. During a second glance, the witness saw that the main rotor was separated from the rest of the helicopter. Additionally, the witness stated that he did not hear anything nor was he aware that the helicopt
Probable cause
The rotor failure/malfunction due to debonding of the tail rotor blade. Also causal was the inadequate maintenance inspection of the aircraft by the company and the improper maintenance procedure by other maintenance personnel.
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Browse: Michigan · Hiller aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
