# NTSB CHI06CA236: Enstrom F28C-2, N303MM, Independence, OH, August 11, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 11, 2006, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Independence, OH
- Coordinates: 41.380832, -81.664169
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3808&lon=-81.6642&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64382
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64382/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA236

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM leading to his failure to maintain control of the helicopter and the hard landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The helicopter was substantially damaged during a hard landing.  The pilot stated that he was landing the helicopter to the east and that the winds were strong and out of the north-northeast.  He stated that he was unaware that the winds were different from those at the departure airport about one hour prior to the accident.  He stated that as he approached his selected landing spot the helicopter began to lose altitude and rotor RPM and he could not recover with engine power.  The helicopter impacted the ground collapsing the left landing skid causing the main rotor blades to strike the ground.  The pilot listed no mechanical malfunctions of the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

The helicopter was substantially damaged during a hard landing.  The pilot stated that he was landing the helicopter to the east and that the winds were strong and out of the north-northeast.  He stated that he was unaware that the winds were different from those at the departure airport about one hour prior to the accident.  He stated that as he approached his selected landing spot the helicopter began to lose altitude and rotor RPM and he could not recover with engine power.  The helicopter impacted the ground collapsing the left landing skid causing the main rotor blades to strike the ground.  The pilot listed no mechanical malfunctions of the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N303MM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Enstrom F28C-2
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 492-2
- Airframe hours: 1543
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 1G5, MEDINA, OH
- Destination: Independence, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 234 total, 20 in this make and model, 143 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20060811026679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060811026679A), Aug 11, 2006: Enstrm F28C, Independence, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Failed to check wind direction and landed with tailwind. Landed hard and rolled over on left side.

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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