# NTSB NYC06CA008: Enstrom F-28C, N51772, Smoketown, PA, October 11, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 11, 2005, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Smoketown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.04111, -76.201385
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0411&lon=-76.2014&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Harrisburg, PA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62648
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62648/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA008

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while performing pedal turns at a hover, resulting in a collision with terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

During a supervised solo, the student pilot was practicing 360 degree circles in a hover practice area at the airport. During the maneuver he reached a point perpendicular to the prevailing wind, and added right torque pedal to compensate, with minimal result. The student pilot then added power to regain control, and the helicopter started to continuously rotate to the right and began climbing.  After reaching about 100 feet, and completing approximately 5 revolutions to the right, the helicopter descended, and impacted the ground in a flat attitude, resulting in substantial damage.

## Factual narrative

"This report is based on information received by the NTSB.  Additional details may be found in the NTSB's public docket for this case.  For further information, please contact the NTSB Office of Public Inquiries."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51772](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51772-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 439, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Enstrom F-28C
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28c) (registry code 3300407) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 439
- Airframe hours: 1762.9
- Engines: Lycoming TSIO-360-E1BD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2005, 5.7 hours before
- Departed: S37, Smoketown, PA
- Destination: S37

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 51; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 51 total, 51 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: LNS, 6 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 20051011027549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051011027549A), Oct 11, 2005: Enstrm F28C, Smoketown, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Solo student pilot conducting 360 degree hovering turns did not control the helicopter direction with anti-torque pedals.

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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