# NTSB NYC86LA113: Enstrom F-28C, N60PB, Ridgefield Park, NJ, April 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1986, 11:27 local (16:27 UTC)
- Place: Ridgefield Park, NJ
- Location: 40.8547° N, 74.0199° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ridgefield Park, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8547&lon=-74.0199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30327
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30327/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA113

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

A WEIGHT IMBALANCE, THEN A SPLIT NEEDLE, CAUSED THE PLT TO ABORT 2 PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO DEPART. CONDITIONS WERE CORRECTED & THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED THE WATERFRONT HELIPAD. AS IT WENT OVER THE WATER, THE PLT NOTED A LOSS OF ENG POWER. HE TRIED TO RETURN TO THE HELIPAD, BUT THE ROTOR RPM CONTINUED TO DECAY & THE HELICOPTER SETTLED INTO THE WATER & SANK. THE PLT & PASSENGER ESCAPED WITHOUT INJURY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60PB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60PB-2002-05-13), registration cancelled 2002-05-13, S/N 337, built 1976 (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: 337
- Airframe hours: 2224
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1AB 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Turbine Helicopters Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: AMBROSE, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 101 total, 56 in this make and model, 66 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 7 °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 19860427014059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860427014059A), Apr 27, 1986: Enstrm F28C, Ridgewood Park, NJ, Substantial damage. The helicopter settled into the water shortly after takeoff. The pilot reported uncontrollable RPM loss.

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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