Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 N1345Q

Summary

On 26 April 1998 at about 18:15 local time, a Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 registered N1345Q was involved in an accident near Stevensville, Maryland, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 April 1998 at 18:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Stevensville, Maryland, United States

Coordinates

38.9893, -76.2996

Aircraft

Fairchild Hiller FH-1100

Registration

N1345Q

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Easton → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD98FA049

2 people died.

The pilot's abrupt, low-g maneuver, which resulted in mast bumping and separation of the main rotor system.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.