# NTSB LAX92LA245: Enstrom F28A, N159Q, Hanford, CA, June 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1992, 13:18 local (20:18 UTC)
- Place: Hanford, CA
- Location: 36.3281° N, 119.6548° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hanford, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3281&lon=-119.6548&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27647
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27647/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA245

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM DURING THE TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT AND UNFAVORABLE WINDS THAT EXISTED AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, not maintained (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command

## Analysis

AFTER ENPLANING THREE PEOPLE, WHOSE TOTAL WEIGHT WAS ESTIMATED AT 300 POUNDS, THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM A FAIR GROUND WITH A 9 TO 14 KNOT RIGHT QUARTERING TAIL WIND BLOWING. THE ENGINE AND MAIN ROTOR RPM DECREASED AS THE AIRCRAFT REACHED APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LANDING IN A PARKING LOT THAT WAS DIRECTLY AHEAD OF HIS POSITION. THE HELICOPTER TURNED RIGHT WHEN THE SKIDS TOUCHED THE GROUND AND ROLLED FORWARD ON ITS NOSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N159Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N159Q-1995-05-12), registration cancelled 1995-05-12, S/N 265 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28A
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28A](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28a) (registry code 3300406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 265
- Airframe hours: 2713
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-C1A 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Bacca, James A.
- Registered owner: Bacca, James A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 29, 1992, 33 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 945 total, 25 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 9 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NLC, 18 nm away

## 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 19920614020019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920614020019A), Jun 14, 1992: Enstrm F28A, Hanford, CA, Substantial damage. Lost lift on downwind takeoff. Impacted hard,rolled forward. Rotors hit ground. Gross weight and downwind factors.

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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