# NTSB FTW90LA099: Enstrom F-28A, N287Q, Danbury, TX, April 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1990, 21:40 local (Apr 22, 1990, 02:40 UTC)
- Place: Danbury, TX
- Coordinates: 29.220949, -95.340698 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2209&lon=-95.3407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23124
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23124/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA099

## Probable cause

PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID WIRES DURING THE FINAL STAGE OF AN APPROACH TO A CONFINED AREA. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DISREGARD OF THE OPERATOR'S INSTRUCTIONS AFTER HE LANDED THE FIRST TIME.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A NIGHT LANDING TO THE OPERATOR'S PRIVATE STRIP AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAXI TO THE HELIPAD. INSTEAD, HE TOOK OFF AGAIN AND EXECUTED AN APPROACH TO A CONFINED AREA ADJACENT TO THE STRIP. THE PILOT THEN DISREGARDED THE OPERATOR'S RADIO INSTRUCTIONS TO LEAVE THE AIRCRAFT THERE AND PROCEEDED TO TAKE OFF AND EXECUTE TWO MORE APPROACHES TO THE AREA. ON THE THIRD APPROACH, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK POWER LINES THAT WERE STRUNG THROUGHOUT THE AREA AND CRASHED. THE PILOT OFFERED NO EXPLANATION FOR HIS BEHAVIOR OR DISREGARD OF THE OPERATOR'S INSTRUCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N287Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N287Q-2016-09-14), registration cancelled 2016-09-14, S/N 303, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28A
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28A](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28a) (registry code 3300406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 303
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Salaika, Tim, doing business as Salaika Aviation
- Registered owner: Salaika, Tim
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,729 total, 51 in this make and model, 1,659 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 30 nm away

## 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 19900422010479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900422010479A), Apr 22, 1990: Enstrm F28A, Danbury, TX, Substantial damage. Struck wires and crashed trying to land in a restricted area. Ignored owners advice to stay put on prior landing.

## Other investigations on N287Q (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 CEN13LA437](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA437), Jul 26, 2013: Enstrom F-28A (N287Q), Danbury, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of collective control for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive fire damage.
- [NTSB MIA77DKG47](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77DKG47), Jun 19, 1977: Enstrom F28A (N287Q), Flovilla, GA, substantial damage

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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