20030720036789A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Enstrm F-28C · Waverly, IA · July 20, 2003

Date: July 20, 2003 · 08:17 local
Place: Waverly, IA
Airport: Waverly Municipal Airport
Phase of flight: Forced/Precautionary Landing
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N51699
NTSB investigation: NTSBCHI03LA217
Reported as: Enstrm F28C
Reported engine: Lycoming HIO360*
People aboard: 3
Fatal injuries: 0
Pilot’s flight hours: 3,000 total

N51699Registered now · Enstrom F-28CS/N 416 · Built 1977 Airframe modelEnstrom F-28C Engine modelLycoming HIO-360 seriesReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry 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.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

(-23) As reported by the pilot, shortly after the accident. The helicopter took off from a Waverly parking lot, giving local area rides. At approx. 200' to 300' AGL, pilot noticed a severe vibration. Pilot made emergency landing. The main rotor blades hit the tail and the tail was cut off.

As the FAA filed it

(-23) AS REPORTED BY THE PILOT, SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE HELICOPTER TOOK OFF FROM A WAVERLY PARKING LOT, GIVING LOCAL AREA RIDES. AT APPROX. 200' TO 300' AGL, PILOT NOTICED A SEVERE VIBRATION. PILOT MADE EMERGENCY LANDING. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES HIT THE TAIL AND THE TAIL WAS CUT OFF.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB CHI03LA217Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWaverly, IAThe main rotor blade push-pull rods being corroded, sustaining fatigue, and separating in cruise and the main rotor blade contacting the tail boom during the emergency landing. Factors were the diminished aircraft control and the vibrations encountered during…Jul 20, 2003 · Substantial damage

Other reports on N51699 · 2

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

Accident 19871025060549ASfl Autorotation · Laconia, NHOn a full touchdown autorotation, lowered collective and rotor speed. Allowed blade to flex and severed tailboom.Oct 25, 1987 · Substantial damage Incident 19830426023859INormal Cruise · Boston, MASaw smoke coming from instrument console. Shut off electrical power. Found a nose landing light wire shorted.Apr 26, 1983