# NTSB CHI91LA154: Enstrom F28, N86214, Hampshire, IL, May 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1991, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Hampshire, IL
- Coordinates: 41.859519, -87.84069 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8595&lon=-87.8407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15063
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15063/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA154

## Probable cause

AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED WHEN THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED AN UNCOTROLLED DESCENT BY THE PILOT.  REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE PILOT WAS INADEQUATE.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACIDENT WAS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE MANEUVERING TO INSPECT A POSSIBLE LANDING SITE, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SETTLE UNDER POWER FROM ABOUT 50 FEET AGL.  THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  THE PILOT WAS RATED IN FIXED WING AIRCRAFT, BUT WAS A STUDENT HELICOPTER PILOT.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FUEL SHORTAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86214](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86214-1998-06-15), registration cancelled 1998-06-15, S/N 712 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28F](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28f) (registry code 3300412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 712
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO=360-C1A 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Asteroid Helicopter Corp.
- Departed: IS92, GILBERTS, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,250 total, 15 in this make and model, 2,195 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910511015749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910511015749A), May 11, 1991: Enstrm F28F, Hampshire, IL, Substantial damage. Student helicopter pilot slowed at low altitude to look at landing site,got into settling with power. Hit ground.

## Other investigations on N86214 (1)

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 CHI97FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97FA025), Nov 11, 1996: Enstrom F28F (N86214), Gutherie, IL, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation and not maintaining control of the helicopter during its rearward flight. A factor was the pilot's over-confidence in his personal ability.

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.
