# NTSB FTW98LA129: Enstrom F-28C-2, N5693M, Broomfield, CO, February 15, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 14, 1998, 19:49 local (Feb 15, 1998, 02:49 UTC) - Place: Broomfield, CO - Location: 39.9205° N, 105.0867° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Broomfield, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9205&lon=-105.0867&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20538 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20538/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA129 ## Probable cause water contamination in the fuel, which resulted in loss of engine power and a forced (autorotative) landing. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness; and a high obstruction in the emergency landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed - rotor rpm - not attained ## Analysis The pilot said he noticed that the LOW FUEL PRESSURE warning light had illuminated 'along with engine roughness.' Suspecting an imminent fuel pump failure, he turned on the electric fuel pump and diverted toward a nearby airport. While on the initial landing approach, the engine lost power. As the pilot made an autorotation towards an open field, the engine began to surge. Approaching the field, the pilot turned on the landing light and caught a glimpse of powerlines. To avoid a collision, he made a pedal turn to the right. While maneuvering to avoid a collision, the main rotor rpm decayed and the helicopter struck the ground. A postaccident fuel sample taken from the engine sump disclosed water in the fuel. The source of water contamination could not be determined. The helicopter had flown several times that day, and had been serviced by an airport refueling truck. No other reports of fuel contamination were received from aircraft operators serviced by the same truck. ## Factual narrative On February 14, 1998, at 1949 mountain standard time, an Enstrom F28C-2, N5693M, registered to and operated by Dominion Corporation, doing business as Denver Helicopter Service, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a forced landing 4 miles west of Broomfield, Colorado. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Englewood, Colorado, approximately 30 minutes before the accident. The following is based on a telephone conversation with the pilot and this investigator, and the accident report submitted by the pilot. The pilot said the flight had proceeded normally for about 30 minutes. He then noticed the LOW FUEL PRESSURE warning light illuminate "along with engine roughness." Suspecting an imminent fuel pump failure, the pilot turned on the electric fuel pump and diverted to Jefferson County Airport. While on the initial landing approach, the engine lost power. As the pilot autorotated towards an open field, the engine began to "surge." As the pilot approached the field, he turned on the landing light and caught a glimpse of powerlines. Fearing a collision, he made a pedal turn to the right. Main rotor rpm decayed and the helicopter struck the ground. According to Textron Lycoming, the LOW FUEL PRESSURE annunciator light will illuminate when the engine driven fuel pump fails or when fuel pressure drops below a preselected value (usually 3.2 pounds per square inch). Activation of the electric fuel pump is a checklist item before takeoff and landing. Acting independently, both the engine driven and electric fuel pumps will provide sufficient fuel pressure to sustain engine power. The pilot said a postaccident fuel sample taken from the engine sump disclosed water in the fuel. The source of water contamination could not be determined. The helicopter had flown several times that day, and had been serviced by an airport refueling truck. No other reports of fuel contamination were received from aircraft operators serviced by the same truck. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5693M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5693M-2009-01-14), registration cancelled 2009-01-14, S/N 489-2, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Enstrom F-28C-2 - Registry model: [Enstrom F-28C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28c) (registry code 3300407) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 489-2 - Airframe hours: 3974 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-E1AD 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dominion Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 22, 1998, 48 hours before - Departed: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, military, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,331 total, 29 in this make and model, 1,114 as pilot in command, 104 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 70° at 6 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BJC, 3 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 19980214006689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980214006689A), Feb 14, 1998: Enstrm F28C, Broomfield, CO, Substantial damage. Reported power loss. Autorotated 2 mile from bjc. No direct cause has been found. Investigated continuing. (.4)the pilot said he noticed that the low fuel… 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.