# NTSB CHI84LA209: Enstrom F-28A, N490H, Martin, MI, May 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1984, 18:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Martin, MI
- Coordinates: 42.329101, -83.380027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3291&lon=-83.3800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12626
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12626/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA209

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - climb - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD LANDED ON A DRAGSTRIP AFTER HE ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WX. WHEN THE WX IMPROVED, HE TOOK OFF & ATTEMPTED TO DEPART OVER A BLEACHER AREA. THE PLT HAD DIFFICULTY CLIMBING OVER THE BLEACHERS & SAID 'NOTICED RPM AT 2700, HELICOPTER IN A TURN.' HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE SLIGHTLY TO RECOVER, THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO TURN & HE DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE DRAGSTRIP, IF POSSIBLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE RIGHT SKID HIT A GUARD RAIL & THE HELICOPTER CRASH LANDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N490H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N490H-1999-03-12), registration cancelled 1999-03-12, S/N 299 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28A
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28A](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28a) (registry code 3300406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 299
- Airframe hours: 879
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: B & G Helicopter
- Registered owner: Paul E. Geddes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 24, 1984, 36 hours before
- Departed: GRR, GRAND RAPIDS, MI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,224 total, 66 in this make and model, 2,955 as pilot in command, 194 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast

## 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 19840525036459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840525036459A), May 25, 1984: Enstrm F28A, Martin, MI, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during attempted takeoff from dragstrip after pilot made precautionary landing because of weather.

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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