# NTSB LAX95LA017: Enstrom F-28C, N5697D, La Verne, CA, October 8, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 8, 1994, 07:35 local (14:35 UTC) - Place: La Verne, CA - Coordinates: 34.1496, -117.759544 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1496&lon=-117.7595&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28968 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28968/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA017 ## Probable cause an inadvertant entry into a settling with power condition and the flight instructor's inability to correct the situation due to an inadequate altitude above ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command(cfi) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis THE CFI WAS GIVING DUAL INSTRUCTION IN PINNACLE APPROACHES TO A PRACTICE AREA PLATEAU AT 2,500 FEET MSL. A GO-AROUND WAS MADE ON THE FIRST APPROACH. ACCORDING TO THE CFI, ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE SECOND APPROACH THE SIGHT PICTURE HAD STEEPENED AND HE STARTED ASSISTING ON THE CONTROLS TO REGAIN THE PROPER ANGLE. HE STATED THAT WITHIN SECONDS IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT THE WIND HAD REVERSED AND WAS NOW BEHIND THE HELICOPTER WHICH WAS SETTLING WITH POWER. THE CFI ATTEMPTED A RECOVERY; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ALTITUDE AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD. THE CFI STATED THAT THE WINDS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WERE VARIABLE IN DIRECTION AT 10 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 20 KNOTS. THERE WAS NO WIND DIRECTION INDICATOR AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. ## Factual narrative On October 8, 1994, at 0735 hours Pacific daylight time, an Enstrom F-28C helicopter, N5697D, was substantially damaged during a hard landing approach near La Verne, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight and no flight plan was filed. Neither the certified flight instructor (CFI) nor the dual student were injured. The flight originated at La Verne about 0720 hours. The instructor stated that they were to practice pinnacle landings. They flew about 5 miles north to a practice area. The elevation was 2,500 feet mean sea level. A go-around was made during the first approach. During the second approach, the CFI stated that the site picture had steepened, so he started assisting on the controls to regain the proper angle. The CFI stated: "Within seconds, it became obvious that the wind had reversed and was now behind the helicopter which was settling with power." The CFI attempted a recovery; however, there was not enough altitude, and the helicopter landed hard. The instructor stated that they had planned their approach into the prevailing wind which was near calm at the time of the accident. He stated that there may have been a wind shear at the time of the approach. On the pilot/operator accident report form, the CFI reported the winds as variable at 10 knots with gusts to 20 knots. There were no formal wind direction indicators at the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5697D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5697D-2001-06-07), registration cancelled 2001-06-07, S/N 504-2 (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: 504-2 - Airframe hours: 1672 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-E1BD 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Robert F. Beck - Registered owner: Robert F. Beck - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 1994, 26 hours before - Departed: POC, CA - Destination: POC, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 847 total, 827 in this make and model, 743 as pilot in command, 176 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 70 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Observed at: POC, 5 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 19941008035619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941008035619A), Oct 8, 1994: Enstrm F28C, La Verne, CA, Substantial damage. Dual on pinnicle landings. Wind shifted. Enifred settling with power regime. Made hard landing. 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.