# NTSB CHI01LA178: Enstrom F-28A, N612B, Eldridge, IA, June 19, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 2001, 20:15 local (Jun 19, 2001, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Eldridge, IA - Coordinates: 41.629661, -90.57077 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6297&lon=-90.5708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Des Moines, Iowa-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53261 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53261/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA178 ## Probable cause The inadequate autorotation and disregarded wind information by the pilot. Factors were the gusting tailwind and the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - wind information - disregarded, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - autorotation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot said, "...(5) Preflighted, got in, shut doors, seat belts on, headset on, started, warmed up then picked up to a 3 [foot] hover. Everything was in the green and looked normal. I then rotated 180 [degrees] to transition out, stopped, everything looked normal. (6) I then added full power, lower cyclic and slightly raised collective to start moving [forward]. As we climbed to about 15-17 [feet], we heard a coughing sound, then silent. Engine quit, I tried to get it back on the ground as flat and level as possible. You can not auto[rotate] at 17 [feet]." A Federal Aviation Administration publication states, "A height/velocity (H/V) diagram, published by the manufacturer for each model of helicopter, depicts the critical combinations of airspeed and altitude should an engine failure occur. Operating at the altitudes and airspeeds shown within the crosshatched or shaded areas of the H/V diagram may not allow enough time for the critical transition from powered flight to autorotation." The helicopter flight manual states, "... The effects of wind on take-off and landings are important factors and should be considered in the operation of the helicopter; however, in planning critical helicopter operations, the effects of winds can be relied upon to assist in accomplishing landings and take-offs from unobstructed areas. If the helicopter were riding a gust of wind on the final approach and the gust should decrease as the helicopter was approaching a hover, the helicopter would probably rapidly 'settle' if the wind factor was planned on to execute the landing. This condition would also hold true during the initial phase of take-off. ... Another effect of wind that must be considered is the 'lee' effect of the wind over hills, ridges, and obstacles. The downdrafts resulting from these conditions particularly affect the initial phase of take-off or the final phase of landing." A postaccident examination of the helicopter and accident site was conducted. The helicopter was found facing in a northerly direction in an open, flat, unobstructed field. There were buildings to the south of the field. No anomalies were found with respect to the helicopter. The winds were reported to be from 200 degrees at 17 knots gusting to 22 knots with a peak wind of 210 degrees at 26 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 18, 2001, at 2015 central daylight time, an Enstrom F-28A, N612B, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted the terrain during takeoff. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot received serious injuries and the passenger received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and the destination was the Davenport Municipal Airport, Davenport, Iowa. In his written report, the pilot said, "...(5) Preflighted, got in, shut doors, sett belts on, headset on, started, warmed up then picked up to a 3 [foot] hover. Everything was in the green and looked normal. I then rotated 180 [degrees] to transition out, stopped, everything looked normal. (6) I then added full power, lower cyclic and slightly raised collective to start moving [forward]. As we climbed to about 15-17 [feet], we heard a coughing sound, then silent. Engine quit, I tried to get it back on the ground as flat and level as possible. You can not auto[rotate] at 17 [feet]." Federal Aviation Administration publication FAA-H-8083-21 - ROTORCRAFT FLYING HANDBOOK states, "A height/velocity (H/V) diagram, published by the manufacturer for each model of helicopter, depicts the critical combinations of airspeed and altitude should an engine failure occur. Operating at the altitudes and airspeeds shown within the crosshatched or shaded areas of the H/V diagram may not allow enough time for the critical transition from powered flight to autorotation." A copy of the Enstrom F-28A height/velocity diagram is appended to this report. The helicopter flight manual states in section 8, "... The effects of wind on take-off and landings are important factors and should be considered in the operation of the helicopter; however, in planning critical helicopter operations, the effects of winds can be relied upon to assist in accomplishing landings and take-offs from unobstructed areas. If the helicopter were riding a gust of wind on the final approach and the gust should decrease as the helicopter was approaching a hover, the helicopter would probably rapidly 'settle' if the wind factor was planned on to execute the landing. This condition would also hold true during the initial phase of take-off. ... Another effect of wind that must be considered is the 'lee' effect of the wind over hills, ridges, and obstacles. The downdrafts resulting from these conditions particularly affect the initial phase of take-off or the final phase of landing." A postaccident examination of the helicopter and accident site was conducted. The helicopter was found facing in a northerly direction in an flat, open, unobstructed field. The field was estimated to be about 15 acres in size. There were buildings to the south of the field. The helicopter control system was examined and no anomalies that could be associated with a preexisting condition were found. The engine was examined and no anomalies were found. Photographs of the accident scene are appended to this report. The weather at the Davenport Municipal Airport, Davenport, Iowa, was reported as: Observation time 0054 UTC; Winds 200 degrees at 17 knots gusting to 22 knots; Visibility 10 miles; Sky condition clear; Temperature 29 degrees Celsius; Dewpoint 16 degrees Celsius; Altimeter setting 29.89 inches of mercury. The report also contained a remark that the peak winds recorded were 210 degrees at 26 knots at 0038 UTC. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N612B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N612B-2017-09-18), registration cancelled 2017-09-18, S/N 313, built 1975 (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: 313 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-C1A 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Walton Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Eldridge, IA - Destination: DVN, Davenport, IA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: serious; commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 1, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 2,575 total, 86 in this make and model, 2,165 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 17 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: DVN, 12 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 20010618019559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010618019559A), Jun 18, 2001: Enstrm F28A, Eldridge, IA, No damage. (-23) Mr. Hopper stated the engine quit on takeoff. He noticed the yellow electric fuel pump light flash at about the same time. The helicopter was at an… 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.