# Accident 20020420007659A: Enstrm F28C, Hotsprings, MT, April 20, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 20, 2002, 15:00 local time
- Place: Hotsprings, MT
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 48.1895° N, 114.3808° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1895&lon=-114.3808&mi=10
- Aircraft: N51769, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51769) (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
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA02LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA075) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020420007659A

## Narrative

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

(-23) PILOT STATED THAT, AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A FIELD NEAR HOT SPRINGS, MT, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SETTLE BACK TOWARD THE GROUND. HE THOUGHT THE WIND MIGHT HAVE SHIFTED FROM NOSE TO TAIL. HE SAID THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT POWER TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT, AND HE LANDED HARD. UPON IMPACT, THE ROTORS STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM, TAIL ROTOR BROKE OFF, SKIDS BROKE OFF, AND ALL PLEXIGLASS WAS SHATTERED. THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE NOT INJURED. ON-SCENE PORTION OF INVESTIGATION COMPLETED BY ASI R. KOFFMAN.

## 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 SEA02LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA075), Apr 20, 2002: Enstrom F-28C (N51769), Hot Springs, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for unfavorable wind conditions. Factors include unfavorable/shifting winds, and a tailwind gust.

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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