# Accident 19971024030949A: Enstrm F28C, Harrisburg, PA, October 24, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 24, 1997, 13:35 local time
- Place: Harrisburg, PA
- Airport: Capital City
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Pwr Off Vert Land/Autorotate
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.2309° N, 76.8708° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2309&lon=-76.8708&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1944J, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1944J-2017-09-18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Enstrom F-28C (registry code 3300407, https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming HIO-360 series (registry code 41524, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTRM F28C
- Reported engine: LYC HIO360E1AD
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,575 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC98FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98FA018) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971024030949A

## Narrative

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

THE HELICOPTER WAS PURCHASED AND FLOWN ABOUT 1 HOUR TO ANOTHER AIRPORT. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A FERRY FLIGHT. ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHEN THE RPM DROPPED TO 1900 AND THE PILOT ENTERED AUTOROTATION. DURING THE DESCENT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO IDLE AND THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAILBOOM. THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION OCCURRED 53 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. A SPECIAL FLIGHT PERMIT WAS ISSUED BY THE FAA FOR THE FERRY FLIGHT. THE HELICOPTER ENGINE WAS OVERHAULED 33 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, AND 3.9 HOURS HAD BEEN LOGGED ON THE ENGINE FROM THE DATE OF OVERHAUL, TO THE DATE OF THE HELICOPTERS PURCHASE. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE ENGINE HAD ACCUMULATED A TOTAL OF 6.7 HOURS SINCE OVERHAUL. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE FORWARD SIDE OF THE #2 PISTION WAS MELTED AND ERODED AWAY, AND A HOLE HAD MELTED THROUGH THE PISTION. AN FAA PUBLICATION DESCRIBED DETONATION AS SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION WHICH CAN BURN A HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH A PISTON.

## 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 NYC98FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98FA018), Oct 24, 1997: Enstrom F-28C (N1944J), Fairview, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: inadequate maintenance, which led to detonation and a melted piston, and subsequent power loss.

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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