# NTSB LAX97LA133: Enstrom F-28C, N294SB, Sacaton, AZ, March 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 27, 1997, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Sacaton, AZ - Location: 33.0775° N, 111.7629° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sacaton, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0775&lon=-111.7629&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 October 14, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29751 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29751/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA133 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper use of the collective by not maintaining rotor rpm during takeoff from a confined area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - congested/confined area - collective - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Forced landing, takeoff - aborted - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During a confined area takeoff, the aircraft passed through effective translational lift (ETL) when the pilot noticed a reduction in engine noise. Both the engine and rotor rpm needles were still joined at a position just below the bottom of the green arc. He lowered collective and rolled the throttle full on without obtaining an increase in engine rpm. He initiated a straight-in autorotation, and during the ground slide, a skid contacted a rock and the tail boom yawed. The tail boom then struck a tree and separated from the aircraft. The main rotor drive belt was disconnected and a run-up check was performed the engine. The engine ran throughout the normal operating range and magneto checks were within tolerances. The engine air cleaner was removed and exhibited trapped dirt and grass. ## Factual narrative On March 27, 1997, at 1515 hours mountain standard time, an Enstrom F-28C, N294SB, collided with the terrain after experiencing a loss of power on takeoff near Sacaton, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; however, neither the instructor nor his student was injured. The aircraft was being operated as an instructional flight by Sunbird Aviation when the accident occurred. The flight originated at 1420 in Chandler, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The instructor stated that he was demonstrating a confined area takeoff to his student. As the aircraft passed through effective translational lift (ETL) and reached about 20 to 25 feet agl, he noticed a reduction in engine noise. When he checked his gauges he noticed that both the engine and rotor rpm needles were still joined at a position just below the bottom of the green arc. He lowered his collective and rolled the throttle full on, with no corresponding increase in engine rpm. At this point, he initiated a straight-in autorotation, cushioning the touchdown with remaining collective and sliding about 5 to 6 feet. During the ground slide, the left skid contacted a rock and the tail boom yawed to the right. The tail boom then struck a Palo Verde tree and separated from the aircraft. A Safety Board investigator estimated that density altitude was approximately 3,000 feet at the time of the accident. After the aircraft was recovered, the main rotor drive belt was disconnected and the engine was started and run. A run-up check was also performed on the right and left magnetos with less than a 100 rpm drop on each. The engine ran smoothly throughout the normal operating range. The engine air cleaner was removed and examined. The element exhibited trapped dirt and grass. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N294SB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N294SB-2000-04-26), registration cancelled 2000-04-26, S/N 336 (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: 336 - Airframe hours: 1312 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-E1AD 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Steve Bates, doing business as Sunbird Helicopter Services In - Registered owner: Tumbling Nd Ranch, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 16, 1997, 42 hours before - Departed: P10, CHANDLER, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 7,568 total, 62 in this make and model, 7,117 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: IAW, 10 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 19970327003979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970327003979A), Mar 27, 1997: Enstrm F28C, Sacaton, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost partial power at etl on takeoff. Autorotated. Skid hit rock yawed. Tail hit tree. Air filter debris fouled. 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.