# NTSB MKC79DCJ30: Enstrom F28C, N51717, Auburn, NE, July 28, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 28, 1979
- Place: Auburn, NE · AUBURN, NE
- Location: 40.3894° N, 95.8436° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Auburn, NE, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3894&lon=-95.8436&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 20, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC79DCJ30
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79DCJ30

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1322  79/7/28  NR.AUBURN,NE          ENSTROM F28C        CR-  0  0  2  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1245                    N51717              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        AGE 44, 5950 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            653 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         AUBURN,NE                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: SWATH RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 5200                       KIND OF OPERATION - OTHER
          KIND OF CROP - CORN                                      PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
          GLOVES - NOT USED                                        GOGGLES - NOT USED
          CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED                            COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED
          CRASH BAR - NOT INSTALLED                                TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  1000
        REMARKS- POLLINATING CORN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51717](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51717-1994-02-23), registration cancelled 1994-02-23, S/N 418 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28C
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28c) (registry code 3300407) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19790728021059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790728021059A), Jul 28, 1979: Enstrm F28C, Auburn, NE, Substantial damage. Helicopter settled into cornfield during ag training flight. Factors: low rotor RPM, hot humid day, misjudgement.

## Other investigations on N51717 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI93LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA212), Jun 14, 1993: Enstrom F-28C (N51717), Buckner, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE NUT BACKING OFF THE CONNECTING ROD BOLT RESULTING IN ROD FAILURE. A FACTOR INVOLVED IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAKE A RUN ON 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.
