Enstrom F-28A N9238

Summary

On 15 October 1994 at about 20:20 local time, a Enstrom F-28A registered N9238 was involved in an accident near Shelburne, Vermont, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 October 1994 at 20:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Shelburne, Vermont, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Enstrom F-28A

Registration

N9238

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Saratoga → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC95LA012

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was attempting to land on the property of a friend when the aircraft entered an uncommanded right turn. According to the pilot, he made two passes to the north while searching for the landing site. He spotted the site, turned right to the southwest to set up for a landing to the north and into the wind. The pilot reported that after he turned southwest, at 150 to 200 feet AGL, the helicopter began spinning to the right at an increasing rate to 1 revolution per second. After about 8 revolutions the aircraft settled into trees. The examination of the aircraft did not reveal evidence of mechanical malfunction. The investigation revealed the wind conditions were favorable for the loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.