Enstrom EN-28 N602H

Summary

On 2 October 1999 at about 15:40 local time, a Enstrom EN-28 registered N602H was involved in an accident near Indianapolis, Indiana, 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

2 October 1999 at 15:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Enstrom EN-28

Registration

N602H

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI00LA002

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's attempted operation of the helicopter with known deficiencies, and his improper autorotation to landing. Factors were one fouled spark plug and another partially failed spark plug in the same cylinder, and the construction area.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot said that prior to initiating the flight he conducted a 'run-up.' He said, during the magneto check the engine ran rough and exceeded the normal magneto drop. He said he continued to run the engine at high RPM and leaned the fuel mixture for a minute. He said he then conducted another 'run-up' and the magneto drop was within specified limits.. He stated that during the initial climb the engine began to 'pop' and the rotor RPM was dropping. He said he elected to attempt a turn to the heliport; however, due to the continued loss of power he elected to conduct an autorotational landing in a gravel construction area. During the autorotational landing the helicopter landed hard and received substantial damage. Subsequent to the accident an examination of the helicopter and engine was conducted. The magneto and harness were examined and no discrepancies were found. All the spark plugs were removed and examined. The bottom spark plug from the #2 cylinder was oil fouled and did not test fire. The top spark plug from the same cylinder (#2) fired with a weak and intermittent spark. All the other spark plugs test fired. No additional anomalies were found in the helicopter or engine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.