# NTSB MIA98LA221: Enstrom F-28F, N19BZ, Marco Island, FL, August 12, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 1998, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Marco Island, FL - Coordinates: 26.119798, -81.739562 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1198&lon=-81.7396&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43693 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA221 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43693/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA221 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate fuel management which led to fuel exhaustion. A related factor was the pilot's improper use of the flight controls during autorotation. ## Analysis The pilot was in cruise flight when the helicopter experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot entered autorotation and selected a forced landing area. The pilot initiated a flare and applied collective pitch late. The helicopter collided with the terrain hard, right skid first, and the main rotor blades collided with the tailboom assembly. Examination of the left and right fuel tanks revealed little or no fuel. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 1998, at about 1145 eastern daylight time, a Enstrom F-28F, N19BZ, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 sightseeing flight, crashed in the vicinity of Marco Island, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from Marco Island, Florida, about 30 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he was in cruise flight when he experienced a total loss of engine power. He lowered the collective pitch, entered autorotation, and made a right, 100 degree turn towards a dirt road. At 100 feet he started a flare and applied collective cushioning pitch late. The helicopter touched down right skid low. The main rotor blade flexed down, and collided with the tailboom assembly. Examination of the crash site revealed the helicopter was partially resting on its belly due to the collapse of the right hand skid cross tube, and the tailboom had been severed. Visual examination of the fuel tanks revealed little or no fuel. Fuel was added to both fuel tanks after the helicopter was transported to an authorized repair facility. The engine was started and was run for about 5 minutes. The pilot informed the FAA that he made a hard landing during the autorotation resulting in damage to the helicopter. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - fuel management - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, descent - emergency - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (cause) - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ground ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19BZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N19BZ), registered now, S/N 727, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Enstrom F-28F - 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: 727 - Airframe hours: 780 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Christian G. Boddi - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1998, 66 hours before - Departed: MKY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 302 total, 280 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: APF ## 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 19980812020619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980812020619A), Aug 12, 1998: Enstrm F28F, Marco Island, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot was in cruise flight when the helicopter experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot entered autorotation and selected a forced landing area.… 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.