Enstrom F-28C N51786
12 August 1993 · Gallipolis, Ohio, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 12 August 1993 at about 16:30 local time, a Enstrom F-28C registered N51786, operated by State of Ohio, Bcii, was involved in an accident near Gallipolis, Ohio, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 16:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Gallipolis, Ohio, United States
- Coordinates
- 38.8203, -82.1891
- Aircraft
- Enstrom F-28C
- Registration
- N51786
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- State of Ohio, Bcii
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Public Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC93GA151
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot's improper use of the collective and throttle which resulted in a low rotor rpm condition and a loss of control, and an inflight collision with the terrain.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A PINNACLE TAKEOFF FROM A GRASSY KNOLL. DURING THE TAKEOFF, HE ENCOUNTERED A LOW ROTOR RPM CONDITION IN WHICH THE ENGINE RPM AND MAIN ROTOR RPM DECREASED TOGETHER. THE PILOT SAID HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER THE MAIN ROTOR RPM IN TIME TO PREVENT A FORCED LANDING. HE MADE A RUN ON LANDING IN A GRASSY AREA AND THE MAIN ROTOR AND TAIL ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND. THE PASSENGER EXITED THE HELICOPTER WHILE THE MAIN ROTOR WAS STILL TURNING AND HE WAS STRUCK IN THE HEAD BY A BLADE. ACCORDING TO THE FAA BASIC HELICOPTER HANDBOOK, A CONDITION OF LOW ROTOR CAN BE CORRECTED BY REDUCING THE COLLECTIVE WHICH WILL DECREASE THE DRAG ON THE ROTOR, AND THEREFORE, INCREASE THE RPM. ACCORDING TO THE HELICOPTER MANUFACTURER, ONCE THE RPM DROPS BELOW THE NORMAL OPERATING RANGE IT COULD TAKE SEVERAL SECONDS FOR THE RPM TO RECOVER TO THE NORMAL OPERATING RANGE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Enstrom F-28C accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Aug 1993 | Enstrom F-28C | Seattle, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 27 Jun 1993 | Enstrom F-28C | Boulder, Colorado, United States | Falcon Helicopters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 14 Jun 1993 | Enstrom F-28C | Buckner, Missouri, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 8 Oct 1994 | Enstrom F-28C | La Verne, California, United States | Robert F. Beck | No injuries | - |
| 28 May 1992 | Enstrom F-28C | Oakland, California, United States | Oakland Police Department | Unknown | - |
| 2 Oct 1991 | Enstrom F-28C | Evergreen, Colorado, United States | James B. Highbanks | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 May 1993 | Leveck VANCRAFT | Hebron, Ohio, United States | Jack Leveck | Fatal | 1 |
| 8 May 1993 | Forest Ripley Z MAX | Delaware, Ohio, United States | Forest Ripley | Serious injuries | - |
| 4 Sep 1993 | Piper PA-28-181 | Columbia Stn, Ohio, United States | Illinois Valley Flying Club | Minor injuries | - |
| 16 May 1993 | Meador DRAGONFLY SP | Hamilton, Ohio, United States | William R Meador | Serious injuries | - |
| 19 Sep 1993 | Cessna 180H | New Philadelphi, Ohio, United States | Robert Henry | No injuries | - |
| 19 Sep 1993 | Piper PA-28-151 | Painesville, Ohio, United States | Robert Chin | No injuries | - |