Enstrom F-28A N203Q

Summary

On 9 July 1995 at about 15:48 local time, a Enstrom F-28A registered N203Q was involved in an incident near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 July 1995 at 15:48

Classification

Incident

Location

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Riverfront Heliport (P97)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Enstrom F-28A

Registration

N203Q

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC95IA164

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in a collision with the water.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot manuevered the helicopter for takeoff to the east, over the Delaware River. As the helicopter entered effective translational lift, it began to sink, and rotor rpm decreased. The pilot increased the throttle, but the rotor rpm did not increase in time. The skids contacted the water, resulting in the helicopter going into the water, and sinking. The pilot stated, 'I do not believe that there was a mechanical problem . . . I failed to maintain safe operating (rotor) rpm on takeoff.' The pilot also stated, 'he didn't give enough throttle and didn't stay ahead of the (rotor) rpm.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.