# NTSB LAX85LA089: Enstrom F-28C, N51755, Sausalito, CA, December 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1984, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Sausalito, CA
- Coordinates: 37.840682, -122.5298 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8407&lon=-122.5298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24620/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA089

## 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
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WX CONDS WERE SKY OBSCURED, VISIBILITY LESS THAN 1/16 OF A MILE IN FOG. PLT ARRIVED AT HELIPORT, WENT DIRECTLY TO ACFT AND STARTED ENGINE. ANOTHER HELIPORT PLT WENT TO ACFT AND ADVISED MISHAP PLT AGAINST DEPARTURE DUE TO LOW VISIBILITY. MISHAP PLT REPLIED HE THOUGHT 'THE WEATHER WAS BETTER A LITTLE WAYS DOWN THE BAY.' ACFT COLLIDED WITH WATER ABOUT 30 SECS AFTER LIFTOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51755](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51755-1989-08-16), registration cancelled 1989-08-16, S/N 436 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28C
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28c) (registry code 3300407) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 436
- Airframe hours: 1215
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1AD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Doric Development Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1984, 135 hours before
- Departed: SAUSALITO, CA
- Destination: OAK, OAKLAND, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 720 total, 720 in this make and model, 720 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F

## 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 19841228068929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841228068929A), Dec 28, 1984: Enstrm F28C, Sausalito, CA, Substantial damage. Attempted takeoff in fog and impacted water within 20 seconds of liftoff. Pilot waded to shore.

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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