# NTSB ATL83LA191: Enstrom F-28C, N654H, Wise, VA, May 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1983, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Wise, VA
- Coordinates: 36.970378, -82.580421 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9704&lon=-82.5804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6066
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6066/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA191

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, taxi - aerial
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD STAYED IN THE LOCAL AREA & HAD BEEN PRACTICING SLOW HOVER OVER THE GRASS BESIDE THE RWY. THERE WAS A PAVED RAMP THAT HE HAD TO CROSS, EACH TIME HE WENT FROM ONE END OF THE RWY TO THE OTHER. HE SAID WHEN HE CAME TO THIS AREA, HE WOULD CLIMB TO ABOUT 35 TO 50 FT, BEFORE CROSSING. AFTER CROSSING THE RAMP, HE WOULD LET DOWN ON THE OTHER SIDE. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE WIND CHANGED AS HE WAS CROSSING THE RAMP WHICH RESULTED IN A TAIL WIND. AFTER HE STARTED BACK DOWN, THE HELICOPTER WOULD NOT STOP DESCENDING UNTIL IT HIT THE GROUND. IT BOUNCED APRX 10 TO 12 FT IN THE AIR. DURING THE BOUNCE, THE PLT FELT AN UNUSUAL VIBRATION & HAD VERY LITTLE CONTROL. THEREFORE, HE SHUT-OFF THE MASTER SWITCH & LET IT FALL. APRX 2 FT OF THE TAIL BOOM WAS CUT OFF, THE SKIDS WERE BENT UP & THE BELLY & MAIN ROTORS WERE DAMAGED. REPORTEDLY THE IMPACT OCCURRED WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS SETTLING WITH POWER APPLIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N654H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N654H-1993-09-28), registration cancelled 1993-09-28, S/N 384 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28C
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28c) (registry code 3300407) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 384
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1AD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Parkis Dotson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: LNP, Lonesome Pine

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,284 total, 34 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRI, 31 nm away

## 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 19830520020539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830520020539A), May 20, 1983: Enstrm F28C, Wise, VA, Substantial damage. Descending to hover in tailwind. Unable arrest descent. Bounced. Main rotors chopped tailboom. Settling with power.

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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