# NTSB MIA83LA059: Enstrom F-28A, N278Q, New Smyrna Bch, FL, January 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1983, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: New Smyrna Bch, FL
- Coordinates: 26.239313, -80.159576 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2393&lon=-80.1596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30838
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30838/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA059

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
- Roll over, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE NEWLY PURCHASED HELICOPTER WAS BEING FERRIED TO MARYLAND. DURING ARRIVAL TO NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL, THE 1ST PLANNED STOP, THE PLT EXECUTED A LANDING APPROACH TO RWY 2. AFTER COMING TO A HOVER, THE HELICOPTER LOST ROTOR RPM DURING A PEDAL TURN TO A DOWNWIND HEADING. AN IMMEDIATE APPLICATION OF POWER FAILED TO PREVENT THE RIGHT SKID FROM CONTACTING THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON ITS SIDE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE WIND HAD SWUNG THE TAILBOOM TO THE LEFT BEFORE ROTOR RPM WAS LOST. HE REPORTED THE WIND WAS FROM 020 DEG AT 10 GUSTING 15 KTS. AT DAYTONA BEACH, FL (15 MI NNW), THE WIND AT 1347 EST WAS FROM 350 DEG AT 6 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N278Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N278Q-2012-09-21), registration cancelled 2012-09-21, S/N 286, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28A
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28A](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28a) (registry code 3300406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 286
- Airframe hours: 670
- Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-C1B 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ken Dixion Chevrolet Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 1983, 7 hours before
- Departed: VRB, VERO BEACH, FL
- Destination: 34J, NEW SMYRNA BEAC, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 34J, New Smyrna Beach, runway 2, 3,215 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,063 total, 7 in this make and model, 888 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 15 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 19830110000779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830110000779A), Jan 10, 1983: Enstrm F28A, New Smyrna Beac, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot lost rotor RPM during hover for a landing. Helicopter hit on skid and rolled on its side.

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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