# NTSB CEN12CA647: Enstrom F-28A, N194E, Fort Worth, TX, September 16, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 16, 2012, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Fort Worth, TX
- Coordinates: 32.93111, -97.411666 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9311&lon=-97.4117&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 85099
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA647
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85099/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85099
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA647

## Probable cause

The noncertificated pilot's operation of the helicopter, which resulted in the tail boom's contact with the refueling pump.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: ground equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom F-28A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md?model=3300406), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022050/cases.md)
- [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom F-28A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md?model=3300406), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Enstrom F-28A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=3300406), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

As the noncertificated pilot maneuvered the helicopter from the refueling pump, the helicopter's tail boom contacted the refueling pump, resulting in substantial damage to the tail boom. The pilot did not provide any details about the accident.

## Factual narrative

The non-certificated pilot maneuvered the helicopter from the refueling pump and the helicopter's tail boom contacted the refueling pump resulting in substantial damage to the tail boom. On the submitted Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report, the pilot did not provide any details concerning the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N194E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N194E), registered now, S/N 009 (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: 009
- Engines: LYCOMING IO 360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Fort Worth, TX
- Destination: Fort Worth, TX
- Airport: T67, Hicks Airfield

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: KAFW, 6 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 20120916026749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120916026749A), Sep 16, 2012: Enstrom F-28A, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Airman stated that he was hover taxiing into a refueling area with a strong left croswind. Upon landing the helicopter tail shifted to the right and struck a…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 12, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85099. 962 KB in all.

- Correspondence: Record of Conversation with FAA inspector (item 1, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382818&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%3A%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20FAA%20inspector-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 894 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382885&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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