# NTSB NYC86LA128: Enstrom F-28C, N100WZ, Ephrata, PA, May 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1986, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Ephrata, PA
- Coordinates: 40.180912, -76.180763 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1809&lon=-76.1808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30340/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA128

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - open field
  - light condition - daylight
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ENSTROM F28C WAS CRUISING ENROUTE WHEN IT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER FOR REASONS UNKNOWN. DURING THE LANDING, IN A LARGE OPEN FIELD, THE MAIN ROTOR WAS DAMAGED AND THE TAIL ROTOR SEPARATED FROM THE TAIL BOOM. THE LONE OCCUPANT, THE PILOT, WAS UNINJURED BUT THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PLTS FLT TIME WAS NOT REPORTED OR AVAILABLE FROM THE PLT OR FROM HIS RECORDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N100WZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N100WZ-1997-05-01), registration cancelled 1997-05-01, S/N 1152 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28C
- Registry model: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-helicopter-280c) (registry code 3300505) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-CIA 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Caravan Construction Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LUMBERTON, NJ
- Destination: TOUGHKENAMON, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles

## 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 19860514087319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860514087319A), May 14, 1986: Enstrm F28C, Ephrata, PA, Substantial damage. Lost engine power en route. Made a hard autorotation landing in an open field. Cause of power loss not determined.

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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