# NTSB BFO88FA050: Enstrom F-28A, N9209, Middletown, DE, May 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1988, 21:15 local (May 27, 1988, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Middletown, DE
- Coordinates: 39.449623, -75.709251 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4496&lon=-75.7093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11367
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88FA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11367/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA050

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command(cfi)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT AN ALT OF APRX 400 FT, A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD AND THE HELICOPTER DEVELOPED A MODERATE TO SEVERE VIBRATION.  THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION.  THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED SMALL TREE BRANCHES AND LANDED HARD IN A FIELD.  POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE #3 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD CAP HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CONNECTING ROD.  THE FATIGUE FAILURE INITIATED AT THE BOLT HOLE IN THE YOKE SECTION OF THE ROD. SEVERE GALLING WAS VISIBLE ON THE FAILED CONNECTING ROD CAP AND YOKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9209](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9209-1991-04-01), registration cancelled 1991-04-01, S/N 226 (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: 226
- Airframe hours: 26124
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-C1A 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Horizon Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 13, 1988, 324 hours before
- Departed: N92
- Destination: ILG, WILMINGTON, DE
- Airport: N92, Summit Airpark, runway 11, 4,100 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,348 total, 225 in this make and model, 2,293 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILG, 11 nm away

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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