# NTSB BFO96LA003: Enstrom F28-280C, N51786, Blue Ash, OH, October 6, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 6, 1995, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Blue Ash, OH - Coordinates: 39.210441, -84.399749 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2104&lon=-84.3997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9100 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO96LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9100/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO96LA003 ## Probable cause the commercial pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles during hover-taxi operations. Related factors the tailwind, the nearby obstacle, and the misjudged maneuver to avoid obstacles. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, hover - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE COMMERCIAL PILOT STATED THAT BECAUSE OF OBSTACLES IN THE VICINITY OF THE HELICOPTER, HE DECIDED TO HOVER TAXI BACKWARDS, THEN MAKE A LEFT TURN FOR TAKEOFF. HE REPORTED THAT HE BEGAN TO HOVER TAXI WITH A TAILWIND OF 14 KNOTS, WITH GUSTS TO 22 KNOTS. THE PILOT STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE WINDS, HE WAS FOCUSED ON THE WINDSOCK, HIS FLIGHT PATH AND ENGINE RPM, AND FORGOT ABOUT THE HELICOPTER WHICH WAS PARKED BEHIND HIM. THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE PARKED HELICOPTER AS THE PILOT WAS TURNING THE HELICOPTER TO THE LEFT. ## Factual narrative On October 6, 1995, at 1520 eastern daylight time, an Enstrom F28-280C, N51786, registered to New Horizons Helicopters, Cincinnati, Ohio, collided with a unoccupied parked helicopter while hover taxiing prior to takeoff at Gallenstein Park Heliport, in Blue Ash, Ohio. The taxiing helicopter was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received no injuries. The unoccupied helicopter received minor damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that because of a small hangar to the left of the parked helicopter, a fence in front, and telephone poles and wires to the right, he planned to hover taxi aft, then turn left in order to takeoff. He noted that there was an unoccupied helicopter parked approximately sixty feet aft and right of N51786. The pilot stated that he thought he had enough room between the helicopters to hover taxi as planned. He reported that he "...picked N51786 up off it's cart. As [the taxi] was into a tailwind, I was paying a lot of attention to the windsock and maintaining course and RPM while taxiing in reverse. I forgot the other helicopter was parked behind...and backed into it...I start every afternoon the same way, from the same position, to report afternoon rush hour traffic. The difference today was the second helicopter." Winds were reported to be out of 230 degrees at 14 knots, with gusts to 22 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51786](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51786-2022-01-08), registration cancelled 2022-01-08, S/N 450, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28-280C - Registry model: [Enstrom F-28C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28c) (registry code 3300407) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 450 - Airframe hours: 2229 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-EIAD 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: New Horizons Helicopters, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 4, 1995, 5 hours before - Departed: 22OH - Airport: 22OH, Gallenstein Heliport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 5,900 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 14 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LUK, 9 nm away ## 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 19951006031299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951006031299A), Oct 6, 1995: Enstrm F28C, Blue Ash, OH, Substantial damage. Hover taxi rearward from pad. Forgot parked helicopter to rear. Struck same. (-23) on October 6, 1995, at 1530 EDT, an Enstrom F28-C, N51786, registered to new… ## Other investigations on N51786 (2) 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 NYC93GA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93GA151), Aug 12, 1993: Enstrom F-28C (N51786), Gallipolis, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper use of the collective and throttle which resulted in a low rotor rpm condition and a loss of control, and an inflight collision with the terrain. - [NTSB CHI80FEK17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80FEK17), Jun 27, 1980: Enstrom F-28C (N51786), Columbus, OH, substantial damage 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.