Enstrom F28C N214MM
11 December 1994 · Cabazon, California, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 11 December 1994 at about 02:35 local time, a Enstrom F28C registered N214MM was involved in an accident near Cabazon, California, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. 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 02:35
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Cabazon, California, United States
- Coordinates
- 33.9297, -116.7692
- Aircraft
- Enstrom F28C
- Registration
- N214MM
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → Thermal
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Night/Dark
- NTSB number
- LAX95LA048
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
AN UNKNOWN EVENT (PRESUMABLY A COMPONENT/SYSTEM FAILURE) THAT RESULTED IN LOSS OF DRIVE TRAIN POWER TO THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND THE OBSTRUCTION (TRANSMISSION LINE) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT SAID THE HELICOPTER HAD JUST LEVELED OFF IN CRUISE WHEN IT MADE AN UNCOMMANDED LEFT YAW ACCOMPANIED BY AN ENGINE OVERSPEED. THE PILOT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION, DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM AS A LOSS OF POWER THROUGH THE DRIVE TRAIN. DURING THE AUTOROTATION, HE ATTEMPTED TO 'REJOIN' THE NEEDLES, BUT WAS ONLY SUCCESSFUL IN INCREASING ENGINE RPM. AS HE APPROACHED HIS PLANNED TOUCHDOWN POINT, HE TURNED ON THE LANDING LIGHT WHICH ILLUMINATED UTILITY WIRES THAT HE HAD NOT SEEN PREVIOUSLY. HE MADE A CYCLIC CLIMB OVER THE WIRES, BUT DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED, ALTITUDE, OR MAIN ROTOR RPM REMAINING TO CUSHION THE TOUCHDOWN. SUBSEQUENT POSTACCIDENT TEARDOWNS AND INSPECTIONS REVEALED NO MECHANICAL ABNORMALITIES.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Enstrom F28C accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jun 1993 | Enstrom F28C | Gordon, Kentucky, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 19 Mar 1995 | Enstrom F28C-2 | San Gorgonio, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Aug 1992 | Enstrom F28C | Irwindale, California, United States | Thomas R. O'hara | No injuries | - |
| 29 Apr 1991 | Enstrom F28C | Palm Springs, California, United States | Randy Testman | Serious injuries | - |
| 7 Jun 1990 | Enstrom F28C | Camas, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 7 Sep 1990 | Enstrom F28C | Santa Paula, California, United States | Brunette, Louis L. | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Sep 1994 | Piper PA-28R-201 | Fort Bragg, California, United States | Sundance Flying Club | Serious injuries | - |
| 12 May 1994 | Schweizer G-164B | Yuba City, California, United States | Sutter Butte Dusters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 3 Sep 1994 | Cessna T210L | Kettleman City, California, United States | Willie Alves Rodrigues | No injuries | - |
| 13 May 1994 | Maule M-5-235C | Columbia, California, United States | White, James L. | No injuries | - |
| 19 May 1994 | Cessna 150L | Rio Linda, California, United States | Hinckley, Thomas, F. | Serious injuries | - |
| 23 Sep 1994 | Robinson R-22 | Chico, California, United States | Sierra Aviation | No injuries | - |