# NTSB NYC87DNC01: Enstrom F-28A, N238Q, Belmont, NH, October 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1986, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Belmont, NH
- Location: 43.4405° N, 71.4789° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Belmont, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4405&lon=-71.4789&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30447
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87DNC01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30447/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87DNC01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - overload
  - landing gear - failure,total

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS IN CRUISE FLT WHEN AN ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE PLT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION AND MADE A HARD LANDING WHICH COLLAPSED THE LEFT FRONT STRUT. THE NOSE LOWERED AS THE TAIL CONE ROSE AND THE MAIN ROTOR MADE CONTACT WITH THE TAIL ROTOR. THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS A FAILURE OF THE #4 CONNECTING ROD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N238Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N238Q-1989-06-08), registration cancelled 1989-06-08, S/N 274 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28A
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28A](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28a) (registry code 3300406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 274
- Airframe hours: 1083
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-C1B 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leon J. Riel
- Registered owner: Granite State Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 7, 1986, 9 hours before
- Departed: LCI, LACONIA, NH
- Destination: CON, CONCORD, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 176 total, 176 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 186° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CON, 15 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 19861011048509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861011048509A), Oct 11, 1986: Enstrm F28A, Belmont, NH, Substantial damage. Engine failed in flight. Aircraft was damaged during hard, emergency landing. Connecting rod had become loose.

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.