# NTSB LAX01LA120: Enstrom F-28C, N637H, Hollister, CA, March 18, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 18, 2001, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Hollister, CA - Coordinates: 36.866664, -121.366668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8667&lon=-121.3667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 51930 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51930/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA120 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate use of the antitorque controls and subsequent failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter during the takeoff initial climb. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - tail rotor/anti-torque control - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The private pilot lost control of the single-engine helicopter after taking off from a field behind his house and it landed hard, then rolled over after he reduced power and lowered the collective. The pilot reported the helicopter was approximately 50-70 feet in the air when the helicopter violently rotated to the left approximately 90 degrees then started to spin to the right 180 degrees. The pilot added there was no normal response to control inputs. The pilot reduced power and lowered the collective. The helicopter impacted the ground tail first, and spun around to the left before coming to rest on its left side. Inspection of the antitorque control system revealed no preimpact anomalies. ## Factual narrative On March 18, 2001, at 1345 Pacific standard time, an Enstrom F-28C single-engine helicopter, N637H, was destroyed after impacting terrain following a loss of control during takeoff from a field near Hollister, California. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of CFR 14 Part 91 as a personal flight when the accident occurred. The local flight was originating from Hollister at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the accident site, the pilot reported he departed from the field behind his home and was approximately 50-70 feet in the air when the helicopter violently rotated to the left approximately 90 degrees then started to spin to the right 180 degrees. The pilot added there was no normal response to control inputs. The pilot reduced power and lowered the collective. The helicopter impacted the ground tail first, and spun around to the left before coming to rest on its left side. The pilot and passenger exited the helicopter through the left side door, which had been bent open during the impact sequence. Shortly after the pilot and passenger exited the helicopter, it caught fire and was destroyed, with the exception of the tail boom. According to the pilot, the helicopter was fully refueled prior to taking off. According to the FAA inspector, no preimpact anomalies were noted with the antitorque control system. The tail boom was found separated from the helicopter and the tail rotor drive shaft was torn from the gearbox. There were grounds scars found that dimensionally corresponded to the tail rotor blades. Both tail rotor blades had paint rubbed off of the leading edges and were deformed aft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N637H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N637H-2020-08-02), registration cancelled 2020-08-02, S/N 395, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Enstrom F-28C - 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: 395 - Airframe hours: 1800 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 SER 190 hp reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas A. Eisenach - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Hollister, CA - Destination: Hollister, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 28, 1999; flight hours: 2,000 total, 400 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: SNS, 16 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 20010318003939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010318003939A), Mar 18, 2001: Enstrm F28C, Hollister, CA, No damage. (.19) On March 18, 2001, at 1345 PST, an Enstrom F-28C, N637H, experienced a tail rotor strike, and rolled over, starting a fire in Hollister, California. The… 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.