# Accident 19890408006869A: Enstrm F28C, Padre Island, TX, April 8, 1989

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 8, 1989
- Place: Padre Island, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Level Off Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 26.4108° N, 97.2301° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.4108&lon=-97.2301&mi=10
- Aircraft: N51774, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51774) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Enstrom F-28C (registry code 3300407, https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTRM F28C
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW89LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA079) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890408006869A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AIRCRAFT LIFTED OFF, CAUGHT BY GUSTING WINDS. (-4)THE COMMERCIAL PILOT REPORTED LOCAL WINDS TO BE 15 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 50 KNOTS. HE WAS REPOSITIONING THE HELICOPTER TO AN AREA 200 YARDS AWAY AND EXECUTED A DOWNWIND DEPARTURE FROM A HOVER. THE APPROACH TO LAND WAS ALSO DOWNWIND WITH A PEDAL TURN APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 50 FEET AGL. THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED LATERALLY IN A RIGHT DIRECT CROSSWIND AND THE LEFT SKID CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER THEN ROLLED LEFT AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW89LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA079), Apr 8, 1989: Enstrom F28C (N51774), Padre Island, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S DECISION TO FLY IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITION. THE ADVERSE WEATHER WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Other reports on N51774 (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19970129000959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970129000959A), Jan 29, 1997: Enstrm F28C (N51774), Angleton, TX, Destroyed. During practice approach lost partial engine power. Landed. Burst into flames. NR2 cyl burned thru. Exhaust on oil. (-23) a/c experienced slight loss of power…
- [Accident 19790713028689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790713028689A), Jul 13, 1979: Enstrm F28C (N51774), Victoria, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot said engine began running rough. He made a precautionary landing, landed hard.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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