# NTSB LAX90FA316: Enstrom F28C, N51633, Santa Paula, CA, September 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1990, 06:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.399906, -119.069679 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3999&lon=-119.0697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26655
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA316
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26655/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA316

## Probable cause

THE EXCESSIVE APPROACH SPEED TO THE PINNACLE LANDING POINT AND THE PILOT'S DELAYED LANDING FLARE. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command
  - flare - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE HIS APPROACH TO A MOUNTAIN PINNACLE AT AN EXCESSIVE SPEED. HIS FAST APPROACH RESULTED IN A LATE LANDING FLARE AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD. THE HIGH POWER APPLICATION AT THE TIME OF THE HARD LANDING RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE, TURNED RIGHT AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N51633 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 397
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-EIAD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brunette, Louis L.
- Departed: NONE, OJAI, CA
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 119 total, 119 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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