# NTSB LAX83FA266: Enstrom F28C, N51684, Mesa, AZ, June 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1983, 06:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.430778, -111.709747 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4308&lon=-111.7097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23459
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA266
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23459/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA266

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD TAKEN OFF, WENT INTO A NORMAL HOVER, THEN TRAVELED ABOUT 200 FEET FOR A PATTERN CLIMB-OUT WHEN HE RADIOED THE TOWER THAT THE ACFT DID NOT FEEL RIGHT. THE ACFT STARTED TO FISHTAIL. THE PILOT TRIED TO AUTOROTATE BUT COULD NOT STOP THE RATE OF DESCENT. THE PILOT HAD ONLY ONE HOUR IN THIS MODEL. THE COMPANY WHO HAD JUST INSPECTED THE ACFT WANTED THE PILOT TO TAKE MORE DUAL INSTRUCTION BEFORE THIS FLIGHT, BUT THE PILOT WAS IN A HURRY AND DECLINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51684](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51684-2013-04-01), registration cancelled 2013-04-01, S/N 409, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28C
- 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: 409
- Airframe hours: 869
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Randell Hileman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1983, 2 hours before
- Destination: LVS, LAS VEGAS, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: P16, Falcon Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,585 total, 1 in this make and model, 4,236 as pilot in command, 159 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: P16

## 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 19830607022289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830607022289A), Jun 7, 1983: Enstrm F28C, Mesa, AZ, Destroyed. Indicates pilot unfamiliar with type. Allowed rotor RPM decay on climbout. Made hard semiautorotation landing.

## Other investigations on N51684 (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 CHI78FEX16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEX16), May 8, 1978: Enstrom F28C (N51684), Wheatland, IN, 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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