# NTSB FTW79FA078: Enstrom F-28A, N254Q, Friendswood, TX, May 5, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 5, 1979
- Place: Friendswood, TX · FRIENDSWOOD, TX
- Location: 29.5077° N, 95.2006° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Friendswood, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5077&lon=-95.2006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 1, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135454
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW79FA078
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FA078

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2105   79/5/5    FRIENDSWOOD,TX      ENSTROM F-28A       CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 32, 470
        TIME - 1450                    N254Q               PX-  0  0  0  TRAINING                  TOTAL HOURS, 37 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CLOVER FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FRIENDSWOOD,TX              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      TAKEOFF: VERTICAL
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: SPRAG SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- PLT STATED DURING AUTOROTATION LEVELED & APPLIED SOME COLLECTIVE.ACFT HIT HARD & BOUNCED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N254Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N254Q-1999-03-12), registration cancelled 1999-03-12, S/N 288 (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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Clover Field

## 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 19790505036819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790505036819A), May 5, 1979: Enstrm F28A, Friendswood, TX, Substantial damage. Lost rudder control, made hard autorotation ldg. Rotor clutch failed due to overtorque and improper lubrication.

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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