Fairchild Hiller FH1100 accident near Lutz, Florida, July 19, 1996
On July 19, 1996 at about 1:45 pm local time, a Fairchild Hiller FH1100 (helicopter), registered N5061F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lutz, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's improper use of the flight controls (collective and cyclic), while conducting a ground run, resulting in a roll over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 19, 1996 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Lutz, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Fairchild Hiller FH1100 · all FH1100s on the register
- Registration
- N5061F · no longer on the register · serial 223
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he was ground running a helicopter and did not intend to takeoff. He increased the collective pitch, and the helicopter became light on the skids and pulled to the right. The pilot applied left cyclic, but the helicopter rolled over on its right side. Examination of the crash site revealed gouge marks to the right rear of the helipad. Dirt was present on the right rear skid of the helicopter. The pilot believed there was a problem with the lateral trim unit; however, an examination of the cyclic force trim revealed no malfunction or abnormality or lack of movement of the cyclic control with the force trim engaged.
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: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,186 hours in all; 315 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 1,141 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C18 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE FL at 1:44 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 79°F (26°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:50 pm from TPA, 15 miles away
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.
Other NTSB records under N5061F the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.