# NTSB LAX89LA044: Enstrom F-28C, N552CS, Inyokern, CA, November 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1988, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Inyokern, CA
- Coordinates: 35.879173, -118.149658 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8792&lon=-118.1497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26293
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26293/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA044

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT, 'I LANDED IN AN OPEN UNPOPULATED AREA FOR THE MECHANIC ... TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS ON THE MAIN BLADE (WE WERE TRACKING AND BALANCING THE BLADES). I NEVER SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. I DISENGAGED THE CLUTCH. AFTER THE ADJUSTMENT WAS MADE, I ENGAGED THE CLUTCH AND BROUGHT IT UP TO FULL POWER WITH ALL THE CHECKS BEFORE LIFTING OFF. EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT OK. I HAD LANDED INTO THE WIND AND DEPARTED INTO THE WIND. ABOUT 25-30 FEET HIGH THE HELICOPTER SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS LOSING POWER AND VIBRATION WAS FELT. A QUICK LOOK REVEALED LOSS OF BOTH TACHS (TACHOMETERS) OF ROTOR AND ENGINE. I LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND ADDED MORE POWER WITH NO EFFECT. UPON LANDING THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON ITS LEFT SIDE. NO CONTROLS WERE EFFECTIVE DUE TO LOSS OF (ENGINE/ROTOR) RPMS.' THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN MOVED PRIOR TO OFFICIALS ARRIVING ON SCENE. LATER INSPECTION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF ANY SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N552CS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N552CS-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 437, built 1978 (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: 437
- Airframe hours: 592
- Engines: LYCOMING HI0-360-E1AD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Westar
- Registered owner: Graig R Saunders, M.D., Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1988, 5 hours before
- Departed: NONE, INYOKERN, CA
- Destination: BFL, BAKERSFIELD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 100 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19881116052289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881116052289A), Nov 16, 1988: Enstrm F28C, Inyokern, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power and rotor speed after takeoff. Made hard landing. Helicopter rolled on its side. No defects found.

## Other investigations on N552CS (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 DEN03LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA018), Nov 23, 2002: Enstrom F-28C (N552CS), Morrison, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot not maintaining clearance from the telephone lines during landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot not being able to see the telephone lines, the low altitude, and 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.

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