# Accident 19980312003169A: Enstrm F28A, Cincinnati, OH, March 12, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 12, 1998, 16:25 local time
- Place: Cincinnati, OH
- Airport: Cincinnati-Blue Ash Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Hovering
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: NH8A
- Location: 39.2404° N, 84.3492° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2404&lon=-84.3492&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4884, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4884-2022-01-08) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Enstrom F-28A (registry code 3300406, https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming HO-360 series (registry code 41513, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTRM F28A
- Reported engine: LYC HIO360C1A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 45 total, 43 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC98LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA076) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980312003169A

## Narrative

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

HELI WAS IN THE PATTERN FOR RWY 6/24, ON TAKE OFF THE ACFT CLIMBED TO APPRX 50FT WHEN THE TAIL ROTOR SHAFT FAILED. (-23) ON MARCH 12, 1998, AT 1625 EST, AN ENSTROM F-28A HELICOPTER, REGISTERED TO NEW HORIZONS HELICOPTERS, MADE A HARD LANDING AT BLUE ASH AIRPORT, OHIO (ISZ), DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE, WHILE ON A LOCAL TRAINING FLIGHT.  VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED, NO VFR FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED.  THE HELICOPTER AS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE STUDENT PILOT WAS NOT INJURED.  THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT BLUE ASH, OHIO ON MARCH 12, 1998 AT 1624 EST.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 (.4)THE HELICOPTER WAS UNDER THE CONTROL OF A STUDENT PILOT. DEPARTING FROM A HOVER, AND WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH AN ALTITUDE OF 50 TO 60 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND A HIGH PITCHED WHINE.  THE PILOT PERFORMED AN AUTOROTATION.  HE REPORTED THAT HE TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND STARTED SLIDING ON THE GRASS.  THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN, AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM.  EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED A BLADE HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE-COOLING FAN AND PENETRATED THE SHROUD.  THE FAN BLADES WERE HELD TO THE FAN DISK BY 1 BOLT AND 2 RIVETS. EVIDENCE OF CORROSION WAS FOUND ON THE FAN DISK AND THE FAILED RIVETS.

## 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 NYC98LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA076), Mar 12, 1998: Enstrom F-28A (N4884), Blue Ash, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of a cooling fan blade and the pilot's improper flare.

## Other reports on N4884 (1)

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

- [Incident 19930822041779I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930822041779I), Aug 22, 1993: Enstrm F28A (N4884), New Richmond, OH, Minor damage. On takeoff from pad on a bluff aircraft descended below bluff. Rotorspeed slowing down. Landed in 10 feet of water.

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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