Enstrom F-28C-2 N5693M
15 February 1998 · Broomfield, Colorado, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 15 February 1998 at about 02:49 local time, a Enstrom F-28C-2 registered N5693M was involved in an accident near Broomfield, Colorado, United States. 3 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 02:49
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Broomfield, Colorado, United States
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Enstrom F-28C-2
- Registration
- N5693M
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Englewood → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Night/Dark
- NTSB number
- FTW98LA129
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Probable cause
water contamination in the fuel, which resulted in loss of engine power and a forced (autorotative) landing. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness; and a high obstruction 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 he noticed that the LOW FUEL PRESSURE warning light had illuminated 'along with engine roughness.' Suspecting an imminent fuel pump failure, he turned on the electric fuel pump and diverted toward a nearby airport. While on the initial landing approach, the engine lost power. As the pilot made an autorotation towards an open field, the engine began to surge. Approaching the field, the pilot turned on the landing light and caught a glimpse of powerlines. To avoid a collision, he made a pedal turn to the right. While maneuvering to avoid a collision, the main rotor rpm decayed and the helicopter struck the ground. A postaccident fuel sample taken from the engine sump disclosed water in the fuel. The source of water contamination could not be determined. The helicopter had flown several times that day, and had been serviced by an airport refueling truck. No other reports of fuel contamination were received from aircraft operators serviced by the same truck.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Enstrom F-28C accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Mar 1997 | Enstrom F-28C | Sacaton, Arizona, United States | Steve Bates | No injuries | - |
| 7 Apr 1999 | Enstrom F-28C | Pendleton, Oregon, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 30 Jan 1997 | Enstrom F-28C | Lake Jackson, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 24 Oct 1997 | Enstrom F-28C | Fairview, Pennsylvania, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 Mar 1996 | Enstrom F-28C | Defuniak Spring, Florida, United States | Robert D. Duda | Minor injuries | - |
| 5 Oct 1996 | Enstrom F-28C | Spokane, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Aug 1998 | Mooney M20F | Fort Collins, Colorado, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 28 Jan 1998 | Aviat A-1 | Buena Vista, Colorado, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 30 Jan 1998 | Cessna 182E | Steamboat Sprng, Colorado, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 22 Nov 1998 | Champion 7GCAA | Aurora, Colorado, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 11 Feb 1998 | Beechcraft 23 | Colorado Sprngs, Colorado, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 1998 | De Havilland DH-8-202 | Telluride, Colorado, United States | Mesa Air Group, Inc. | No injuries | - |