# NTSB DEN84FA081: Enstrom F-28C, N776FS, Chester, MT, February 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1984, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Chester, MT
- Coordinates: 48.56092, -111.010498 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5609&lon=-111.0105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16196
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16196/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA081

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO A COMPANY EMPLOYEE, THE PLT MADE A RADIO CALL FROM A REMOTE MOUNTAIN SITE WHERE THE PLT WAS DOING SOME WORKON A TRANSMITTER TOWER & STATED THAT HE WAS TAKING OFF, & IF THE EMPLOYEE DID NOT HEAR FROM HIM IN AN HOUR TO COME LOOK FOR HIM. THE HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE TOWER. A WITNESS NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE STATED THAT WINDS WERE GUSTING TO 50 MPH WITH HEAVY SNOW. THE PLT HAD BEEN RECEIVING HELICOPTER INSTRUCTION & WAS ENDORSED FOR SUPERVISED SOLO ONLY. HOWEVER, THE PLT'S INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THAT THE PLT HAD TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD BEEN FLYING THE HELICOPTER '...ALL OVER THE PLACE. ON TOP OF MOUNTAINS, CALLING ON CUSTOMERS AND BASICALLY DOING JUST WHAT HE WELL WISHED WITH IT...' THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THEY HAD YET TO COVER PINNACLE APPROACHES, RIDGE LINE WORK, UPDRAFTS, DOWNDRAFTS, TURBULENCE, CONFINED AREAS, SLOPE LANDINGS, ETC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N776FS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 360
- Engines: LYCOMING THIO-360-E1AD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Munson Radio, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 11, 1983, 45 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,132 total, 81 in this make and model, 3,505 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), 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 19840201001909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840201001909A), Feb 1, 1984: Enstrm F28C, Chester, MT, Destroyed. Flew into trees on side of a ridge in a snowstorm. Used helicopter for business. Not rated or endorsed for flights.

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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