Enstrom F28F N86214

Summary

On 11 November 1996 at about 17:00 local time, a Enstrom F28F registered N86214 was involved in an accident near Gutherie, Illinois, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 November 1996 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Gutherie, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

40.4608, -88.3406

Aircraft

Enstrom F28F

Registration

N86214

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI97FA025

3 people died.

the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation and not maintaining control of the helicopter during its rearward flight. A factor was the pilot's over-confidence in his personal ability.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Eye witnesses observed the helicopter lift off on its left skid while moving forward a short distance. After stopping its forward motion the helicopter began moving backwards and slowly rolling into a steep left bank and gaining altitude. After the helicopter travelled about 75 feet and climbed to about 25 feet above the ground it moved to its left. As it passed over a farm truck, its rotor blades struck the roof. Shortly afterwards the helicopter rolled inverted and collided with the ground. Witnesses reported the wind at between 15 and 20 miles per hour, blowing on the helicopter's right rear side. The pilot's former instructor said he had not taught him to '...translate rearward.' He said he had told the pilot it was not safe to takeoff with a quartering tailwind.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.