# NTSB ATL83LA275: Enstrom F28C, N582H, Brandywine, MD, July 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1983, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Brandywine, MD
- Coordinates: 38.689922, -76.850463 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6899&lon=-76.8505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: AD 83-18-04 (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6126
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA275
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6126/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA275

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

IN LEVEL CRUISE FLT THE PLT EXPERIENCED A SEVERE VIBRATION FOLLOWED BY UNCONTROLLABLE ROTATION TO THE RIGHT. THE PLT WASUNABLE TO REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL & CRASHED INTO TREES. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE REAR T/R DRIVE COUPLING, PN28-13609, HAD FAILED FROM EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO INADEQUATE LUBRICATION. SERVICE BULLETIN 0065, DATED 8/19/83, WAS ISSUED DIRECTING INSPECTION OF THE COUPLING BEFORE THE NEXT FLT. AD83-18-04, AMENDMENT 39-4721, WAS ALSO ISSUED TO PRECLUDE FURTHER FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N582H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N582H-1999-03-12), registration cancelled 1999-03-12, S/N 363 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28C
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28c) (registry code 3300407) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 363
- Airframe hours: 1256
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1AD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ken Dixon Chevrolet Buick Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1983
- Departed: WALDORF, MD
- Destination: W32, CLINTON, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,037 total, 37 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19830714035459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830714035459A), Jul 14, 1983: Enstrm F28C, Brandywine, MD, Substantial damage. Vibration uncountrollable rotation. Struck trees. Tail rotor drive coupling broke due lack of lube. AD issued.

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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