# NTSB MKC87LA102: Enstrom F-28A, N13CM, Fayetteville, AR, May 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1987, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Fayetteville, AR
- Coordinates: 36.070285, -94.149879 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0703&lon=-94.1499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34381
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34381/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA102

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, hover

## Analysis

THE PIC WAS DEMONSTRATING THE HELO TO A PROSPECTIVE CUSTOMER. THE PIC WAS HOVERING IN A REMOTE AREA WITH ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN. THE PIC RPTD OUTSIDE AIR TEMPS OF ABT 90 DEGREES DURING THE DEMO FLT. THE PIC STATED THAT HE WAS MOVING AROUND OVER THE GRND IN A 3 TO 5 FT HOVER. THE PIC STATED THAT NO WIND WAS BLOWING AND HE WAS MOVING TO GET FRESH AIR THROUGH THE ROTORS. THE PIC THEN NOTICED THAT ENG RPM WAS DECREASING AND INCREASED THROTTLE TO COMPENSATE. THE PIC STATED THAT RPM CONTINUED TO DECREASE AND THE HELO BEGIN TO DESCEND DESPITE FULL THROTTLE. THE PIC STATED THAT HE HAD TO MANEUVER THE HELO BACK TO THE SPOT HE HAD INITALLY APPROACHED TO AVOID LANDING ON ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN. THE PIC STATED THAT THIS POSED A PBLM TO IMMEDIATE TOUCHDOWN AS HE MOVED THE HELO TO THE SMOOTH LNDG AREA. THE HELO SUBSEQUENTLY HARD LANDED SHORT OF THE LNDG AREA SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. NO MECH MALF WAS DISCOVERED DURING INSP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13CM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13CM), registered now, S/N 090, built 1972 (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: 090
- Airframe hours: 1394
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Aerotek
- Registered owner: Aero Tech Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 12, 1986, 59 hours before
- Departed: FYV, FAYETTEVILLE, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 298 total, 56 in this make and model, 223 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19870507012419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870507012419A), May 7, 1987: Enstrm F28A, Fayetteville, AR, Substantial damage. The pilot was unable to maintain rotor RPM in hover. The helicopter struck terrain on attempted run on landing.

## Other investigations on N13CM (2)

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 BFO94LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA137), Aug 16, 1994: Enstrom F-28A (N13CM), Stewartsville, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASON.
- [NTSB CHI84IA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84IA294), Jul 3, 1984: Enstrom F-28A (N13CM), Muncie, IN, incident, minor damage

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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