Hiller FH-1100 accident near Capron, Virginia, July 15, 1987
On July 15, 1987 at about 1:05 pm local time, a Hiller FH-1100 (helicopter), registered N590FH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Capron, Virginia. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 15, 1987 · about 1:05 pm local time
- Place
- Capron, Virginia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hiller FH-1100
- Registration
- N590FH · no longer on the register · serial 90
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT MADE A 60 MPH POWER DESCENT LANDING APCH. WHEN THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED TO A HEIGHT OF ABOUT 10 FT AGL, THE PLT RAISED COLLECTIVE AND APPLIED LEFT RUDDER PRESSURE. THE HELICOPTER ABRUPTLY TURNED RIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE HELICOPTER DID NOT RESPOND TO HIS CORRECTIVE INPUT TO THE CYCLIC. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED AND LANDED HARD ON ITS RIGHT LANDING SKID FOLLOWED BY THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRIKING THE HELICOPTER. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,352 hours in all; 111 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,558 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, April 4, 1987; 7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C18 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Lovington VA at 11:50 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; not recorded
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.