# Accident 20030802028769A: Enstrm F28C, Kankakee, IL, August 2, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 2, 2003, 17:55 local time
- Place: Kankakee, IL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Pwr On Vertical Ldng/Rtrcrft
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.0714° N, 87.8464° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0714&lon=-87.8464&mi=10
- Aircraft: N15SA, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15SA-2008-02-13) (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
- Pilot flight hours: 1,600 total, 150 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI03LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA240) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030802028769A

## Narrative

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

(-23) DURING LANDING THE PILOT STATED HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE WHILE ON FIRM AND LEVEL GROUND AND THEN THE MAIN ROTORBLADES CONTACTED THE TAILROTOR DRIVE SHAFT. ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ UNDER CONDITIONS OF NORMAL RPM AND LEVEL TERRAIN, THE ROTOR COULD NOT CONTACT THE TAILROTOR DURING NORMAL PROCEDURES. FORWARD CG AND FORWARD MOMENTUM DURING LANDING IS THE MOST PROBABLE CAUSE FOR THE ACCIDENT. PASSENGER INTERVIEWS WERE INCONCLUSIVE. THE PILOT WAS FLYING THREE PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT SEAT UNDER ONE SEAT BELT ONLY. THE AIRCRAFT TYPE DATE SHEET ONLY PERMITTED 3 PERSONS INCLUDED THE PILOT TO BE ONBOARD DURING FLIGHT OPERATIONS. THE ADDITION OF THE THIRD PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT COULD HAVE CAUSED OUT OF CG CONDITIONS. THE FORWARD MOMENTUM TOUCH DOWN CAUSED A FORWARD ROLLING MOMENT. PILOT CORRECTED QUICKLY TO PREVENT A ROLL OVER CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR TO CONTACT THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT.

## 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 CHI03LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA240), Aug 2, 2003: Enstrom F-28C (N15SA), Kankakee, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot misjudged flare which led to a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow procedures/directives when he exceeded the airplane's weight and balance.

## Other reports on N15SA (1)

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

- [Incident 20011229033859I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011229033859I), Dec 29, 2001: Enstrm F28C (N15SA), Dover, DE, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot was flying at 1800 ft. when he heard a noise coming from the engine. He then detected a burnt rubber odor. With that the pilot autorotated and…

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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