# NTSB ATL83LA298: Enstrom F-28A, N9078, Brunswick, GA, July 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1983, 11:11 local (15:11 UTC)
- Place: Brunswick, GA
- Coordinates: 31.149532, -81.479469 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1495&lon=-81.4795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6144
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA298
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6144/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA298

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS 'TOPPED OFF' WITH FUEL BEFORE TAKEOFF. ABOUT 1 HR & 10 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, THERE REPORTEDLY WAS A LOUD 'BANG' WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY SPUTTERING FROM THE ENG & A DECAY IN THE ENG RPM. AN AUTOROTATION WAS MADE INTO A SMALL CLEARING IN A WOODED, SWAMPY AREA. DURING LANDING, THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. AN EXAM OF THE ENG WAS MADE, BUT NO DESCREPANCIES THAT WOULD RESULT IN A POWER LOSS WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9078](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9078-2012-11-19), registration cancelled 2012-11-19, S/N 193, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28A
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28A](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28a) (registry code 3300406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 193
- Airframe hours: 1748
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-C1B 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chopper One Night Sign, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 28, 1983, 13 hours before
- Departed: 49J, HILTON HEAD, SC
- Destination: JAX, JACKSONVILLE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,051 total, 755 in this make and model, 9,450 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SSI

## 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 19830730036779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830730036779A), Jul 30, 1983: Enstrm F28A, Brunswick, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot claimed engine failure caused emergency autorotation on landing. No engine discrepancy found.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.