# NTSB LAX79DVA14: Enstrom F28A, N520H, Shafter, CA, January 20, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 20, 1979
- Place: Shafter, CA · SHAFTER, CA
- Location: 35.5005° N, 119.2718° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shafter, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5005&lon=-119.2718&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 5, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 137042
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79DVA14
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DVA14

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0945  79/1/20    SHAFTER,CA          ENSTROM F28A        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 42, 3688
        TIME - 1100                    N520H               PX-  0  0  2  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 1265 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SHAFTER,CA                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           ROLL OVER                                                LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: MAIN ROTOR PULLEYS,BELTS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  SUSPECTED OR KNOWN AIRCRAFT DAMAGE
                                  UNUSUAL NOISE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N520H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N520H), registered now, S/N 325, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28A
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19790120001219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790120001219A), Jan 20, 1979: Enstrm F28A, Shafter, CA, Substantial damage. Vibration and loss of rudder control. Made hard emergency landing. Found pitch control link failed. Tensile overload.

## Other investigations on N520H (1)

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 ERA26FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA077), Dec 28, 2025: Enstrom F28 (N520H), Hammonton, NJ, substantial damage, 2 fatal, investigation ongoing

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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