# NTSB BFO90LA011: Enstrom F-28F, N8627J, Wilmington, DE, November 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1989, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, DE
- Coordinates: 39.743428, -75.550544 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7434&lon=-75.5505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11569
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11569/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA011

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS A RESULT OF THE STUDENT PILOT INADVERTENTLY PULLING THE MIXTURE CONTROL TO THE IDLE CUT-OFF POSITION, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - mixture - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command(cfi)
- Roll over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE CFI AND STUDENT WERE PERFORMING THE PRE-LANDING CHECKLIST WHEN THE STUDENT WAS INSTRUCTED TO PUT THE MIXTURE CONTROL IN THE FULL RICH POSITION. INSTEAD OF ADVANCING THE MIXTURE CONTROL THE STUDENT PULLED THE MIXTURE TO IDLE CUT-OFF. ENGINE POWER WAS LOST AND THE CFI INTIATED A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD. THE ONLY FIELD AVAILABLE WAS ROUGH AND COVERED WITH 3 TO 4 FT TALL WEEDS. DURING THE LANDING, THE RIGHT SKID DUG INTO THE TERRAIN AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8627J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8627J-2023-03-24), registration cancelled 2023-03-24, S/N 760 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28F
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28F](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28f) (registry code 3300412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 760
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-F1AD 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Barbara Ohliger, doing business as Sundance Helicopter
- Registered owner: Barbara W Ohliger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: N92, MIDDLETOWN, DE
- Destination: ILG, WILMINGTON, DE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,010 total, 1,219 in this make and model, 1,695 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °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 19891114045269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891114045269A), Nov 14, 1989: Enstrm F28F, Wilmington, DE, Substantial damage. CFI told student to enrich mixture for landing. Student pulled mixture to idle cut off. Made autoroted run landing.

## Other investigations on N8627J (1)

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.

- [NTSB ANC21LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA038), May 9, 2021: Enstrom F-28F (N8627J), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of drive to the rotor system due to the disengagement of the main belt drive tensioning system, which resulted in a forced landing. The disengagement was due to inadequate clearance between…

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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