# NTSB ATL87LA267: Enstrom F-28A, N29GC, Mansfield, OH, September 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1987, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Mansfield, OH
- Coordinates: 40.659675, -82.609458 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6597&lon=-82.6095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA267
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7526/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA267

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, taxi - aerial
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, taxi - aerial

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER MADE AN UNCOMMANDED TURN TO THE RIGHT AND ROLLED TO THE LEFT AS SHE WAS HOVER-TAXIING AWAY FROM THE HANGAR TOWARD THE TAKEOFF AREA. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE TERRAIN AND CAME TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISTING MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE WIND AT THE TIME WAS BLOWING FROM 320 DEG AT 15 KTS GUSTING TO 22 KTS, AND THAT THE HELO LIFTOFF POINT WAS ON THE DOWNWIND SIDE OF THE HANGAR. THE FAA BASIC HELICOPTER HANDBOOK AC61-13B NOTES THAT TURBULENCE IS LIKELY TO BE FOUND NEAR THE GROUND OF THE DOWNWIND SIDE OF BLDGS WHENEVER THE WIND VELOCITY EXCEEDS 10 MPH (8.7 KTS).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29GC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29GC-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N 187 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28A
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28A](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28a) (registry code 3300406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 187
- Airframe hours: 1004
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-C1A 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Manairco, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 1986, 69 hours before
- Airport: MFD, Mansfield Lahm Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 683 total, 490 in this make and model, 580 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MFD

## 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 19870930058639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870930058639A), Sep 30, 1987: Enstrm F28A, Mansfield, OH, Substantial damage. Lost tail rotor effectiveness while aerial taxiing between buildings with a gusty surface wind. Rolled on impact.

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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