Event ANC94LA064

Factual narrative

On June 3, 1994, at 2030 Alaska daylight time, a Hiller FH- 1100 helicopter, N746FH, rolled onto its side, into the water after landing on a river bank located on the Theodore River near Beluga, Alaska. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91 in visual meteorological conditions. The flight departed from Lake Hood with a stop at Alexander Creek. No flight plan was filed. The Pilot-in-Command and all three passengers were uninjured and the aircraft was substantially damaged. According to the Pilot-in-Command, he reduced collective to flat pitch after landing on the river bank and the river bank "sloughed off" under the right skid. He stated the helicopter rolled onto its side and he did not have enough control to counter the roll. THE PILOT STATED HE LANDED ON THE RIVER BANK, AND AFTER REDUCING COLLECTIVE TO FLAT PITCH, THE RIVER BANK 'SLOUGHED OFF' UNDER THE RIGHT SKID, AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE INTO THE THEODORE RIVER. HE STATED HE HAD ALREADY REDUCED POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT FOR THE ROLL RATE DUE TO DYNAMIC ROLLOVER. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12