# NTSB ANC98LA037: Enstrom F-28F, N199LB, Haines, AK, April 12, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1998, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Haines, AK
- Coordinates: 59.159378, -135.859573 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.1594&lon=-135.8596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3129
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3129/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA037

## Probable cause

The pilot flaring too low during an improper practice autorotation.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he held his flare too long during a practice autorotation and allowed the tail to contact the ground.

## Factual narrative

On April 12, 1998, at 1430 Alaska daylight time, an Enstrom F-28F helicopter, N199LB, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at the Haines Airport, Haines, Alaska.  The commercial helicopter pilot sustained minor injuries.  The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and departed Haines at 1425 as a local training flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan was filed with the pilot's company.

The pilot last received flight instruction in the make and model helicopter five months prior to the accident.  He had conducted a solo practice flight two days prior to the accident.

During an interview with the NTSB investigator on April 13, 1998, the pilot stated he was practicing autorotations in preparation for an upcoming flight instructor flight test.  He indicated the 15 to 20 knot winds were aligned with the runway.  During the autorotative flare, the helicopter tail skid contacted the runway, and the helicopter landed hard. The tail rotor gear box subsequently separated, and two main rotor blades contacted the tail boom.  The pilot indicated to the NTSB investigator during an interview, and in his NTSB Pilot/Operator Report, that he held his flare too long, and allowed the tail to contact the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N199LB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N199LB), registered now, S/N 790 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Enstrom F-28F
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28F](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28f) (registry code 3300412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 790
- Airframe hours: 189
- Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Layton Alden Bennett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 1998, 5 hours before
- Departed: HNS
- Destination: HNS
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: HNS, Haines, runway 8, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 30,000 total, 220 in this make and model, 30,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19980412006729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980412006729A), Apr 12, 1998: Enstrm F28F, Haines, AK, Substantial damage. Main rotor blade failed on hard landing from practice autorotaiton. Rotors hit tailboom. (.4)the pilot stated that he held his flare too long during a practice…

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.

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