# NTSB LAX90LA335: Enstrom F28F, N8620A, Beatty, NV, September 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1990, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Beatty, NV
- Coordinates: 37.08982, -116.790031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0898&lon=-116.7900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26931
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA335
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26931/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA335

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO LAND. LOOSE SHALE ROCK AND SLOPING DOWNHILL TERRAIN WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, standing - idling rotors
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS TWO PASSENGERS LANDED ON A SHALE KNOLL WHILE SURVEYING AN OFF THE ROAD MOTOR VEHICLE RACE COURSE. WHEN THE ENGINE AND ROTOR BLADES WERE REDUCED TO GROUND IDLE RPM THE HELICOPTER SLID OFF THE KNOLL AND ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8620A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8620A-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N 711, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28F
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28F](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28f) (registry code 3300412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 711
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO360 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walker Evans Enterprises

## 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: 569 total, 179 in this make and model, 469 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.