# NTSB LAX80DVA06: Enstrom F-28A, N521H, Woodlake, CA, December 12, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 12, 1979
- Place: Woodlake, CA · WOODLAKE, CA
- Location: 36.4128° N, 119.1007° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Woodlake, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4128&lon=-119.1007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 7, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 132676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80DVA06
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DVA06

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2900  79/12/12   WOODLAKE,CA         ENSTROM F-28A       CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0315                    N521H               PX-  0  0  1  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   AGE 41, 1884 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            27 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WOODLAKE,CA                 DELANO,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               TAKEOFF: VERTICAL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INITIATED FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/4 MILE OR LESS                                         NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       35
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          CALM                                                     IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- COLLIDED W PWR LINES.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N521H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N521H-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 324, built 1976 (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 HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, 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 19791212033159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791212033159A), Dec 12, 1979: Enstrm F28A, Woodlake, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot said he took off and let rotor RPM get too low. While ccorrecting he hit wire.

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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