# NTSB CHI88LA239: Enstrom F28A, N249Q, Celina, OH, September 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1988, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Celina, OH
- Coordinates: 40.549137, -84.570991 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5491&lon=-84.5710&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14165
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14165/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA239

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - rotorcraft flight control,tail rotor control - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, unqualified person (cause)
  - lift-off - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

AFTER 2 UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO TAKEOFF, THE PLT/OWNER TRIED A 3RD TAKEOFF IN HIS NEWLY PURCHASED HELICOPTER. HE RPRTD THAT DURING THE FIRST 2 ATTEMPTS TO TAKEOFF, HE COULDN'T SEEM TO GET 100% OF HIS LEFT PEDAL AUTHORITY. SHORTLY AFTER THE HELICOPTER BECAME AIRBORNE ON THE 3RD ATTEMPT, IT TURNED ABRUPTLY TO THE RIGHT, EVEN THOUGH THE PLT HAD THE LEFT PEDAL IN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED IN AN ANIMAL PEN AREA. THE PLT RPRTD THAT A NON-QUALIFIED PERSON HAD MADE A TAIL ROTOR PITCH ADJUSTMENT ON THE HELICOPTER PRIOR TO THE ACDNT FLT. THE PLT HAD ONLY 2 HRS OF FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N249Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N249Q-1994-08-05), registration cancelled 1994-08-05, S/N 284 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28A
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28A](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28a) (registry code 3300406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 284
- Airframe hours: 410
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-C1A 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nye, Gerald P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1988, 8 hours before
- Departed: CQA
- Destination: CQA
- Airport: CQA, Lakefield County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,645 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,569 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 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 19880918044789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880918044789A), Sep 18, 1988: Enstrm F28A, Celina, OH, Destroyed. Pedal and turn problem on liftoff. Unapproved pedal adjustment. Unable to stop turn on next liftoff. Crash landed.

## Other investigations on N249Q (2)

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.

- [NTSB NYC93LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA016), Oct 11, 1992: Enstrom F-28A (N249Q), Kitts Hill, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: A HARD LANDING DUE TO IMPROPER USE OF THE COLLECTIVE, FOLLOWING A WIRE STRIKE DUE TO INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT.
- [NTSB MKC75FCD45](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75FCD45), May 8, 1975: Enstrom F-28A (N249Q), Nevada, IA, destroyed

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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