# NTSB CHI83LA329: Enstrom F-28F, N81HF, Springfield, OH, July 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1983, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, OH
- Location: 39.9289° N, 83.7942° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Springfield, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9289&lon=-83.7942&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12274
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA329
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12274/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA329

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED HE HAD TAKEN ON A 30 LB CHEMICAL LOAD & 45 LBS OF FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK AFTER LANDING ON A NURSE TRUCK. HE TOOK OFF AGAIN. ABOUT 10 MIN LATER, AFTER SPRAYING THE LOAD, THE BOOST PUMP FAILURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PLT TURNED INTO THE WIND & BEGAN A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. HOWEVER, BEFORE LANDING, THERE WAS A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM THERE WAS NO FUEL GAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR THE LEFT FUEL TANK. THE PLT STATED THAT FUEL WAS BEING USED FROM THE LEFT TANK FASTER THAN IT WAS CROSSING OVER FROM THE RIGHT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N81HF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28F
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 513
- Airframe hours: 562
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-F1AD 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Paul Hilty
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 1983, 41 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,670 total, 38 in this make and model, 3,478 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY, 16 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 19830721037049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830721037049A), Jul 21, 1983: Enstrm F28F, Springfield, OH, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during autorotation landing when engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

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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