Enstrom F28F N8626E

Summary

On 23 July 2008 at about 15:30 local time, a Enstrom F28F registered N8626E was involved in an accident near Amberg, Wisconsin, United States. One person was 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.

Date

23 July 2008 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Amberg, Wisconsin, United States

Coordinates

45.4839, -87.9769

Aircraft

Enstrom F28F

Registration

N8626E

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Menominee → Iron Mountain/K

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI08CA203

Nobody was injured.

The unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot during a forced landing following a loss of engine power due to a cylinder head separation. Contributing to the accident was the tree.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that the helicopter had undergone an annual inspection at the helicopter manufacturer, and he was returning when he felt a "sudden" yaw to the left during cruise flight about 32 miles from the destination airport. The pilot then performed an "immediate" descent to a clearing, and about 60 feet above ground level and 30 miles per hour, the engine lost power. The helicopter landed on its skids and spun 180 degrees, impacting a tree with its tail rotor. The tail boom separated from the fuselage and a fire ensued consuming about 10 acres of land. The pilot exited the helicopter through the "partially jammed" passenger door because the pilot door was "jammed." The pilot received minor injuries. Examination of the engine revealed a cylinder head that was separated from its barrel.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.