Hiller FH-1100 N580RH

Summary

On 10 October 1998 at about 15:20 local time, a Hiller FH-1100 registered N580RH was involved in an accident near Fayette, Mississippi, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 October 1998 at 15:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Fayette, Mississippi, United States

Coordinates

31.7106, -91.0600

Aircraft

Hiller FH-1100

Registration

N580RH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL99LA006

Nobody was injured.

The fuel filter contamination which resulted in the loss of engine power. The air leak in the fuel system was a factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, while making a 180 degree turn, the boost pump fail light came on. Shortly afterwards the engine shut down at about 150 feet AGL. He selected a field for an emergency landing and entered an autorotation. During the touchdown phase of the autorotation, the helicopter collided with a log and rolled over. According to the pilot, there was insufficient RPM to stop the roll over. Examination of the engine concluded that the fuel supply system had an air leak between the fuel tank and the engine driven fuel pump. Also both the airframe and engine fuel filters were clogged with an unidentifiable brownish, jelly-like substance. A review of the maintenance log revealed that the last 100 hour inspection was 98 hours before the accident. There were no further indications of any other maintenance done on the fuel system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.