# NTSB NYC87DNC06: Enstrom F-28A, N9271, Mason, NH, July 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1987, 17:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Mason, NH
- Location: 42.7437° N, 71.7690° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mason, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7437&lon=-71.7690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30452
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87DNC06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30452/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87DNC06

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL AFTER THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE TREES AND DEPARTED THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN FLYING IN WEATHER CONDITIONS BEYOND HIS CAPABILITIES WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS HEARD CIRCLING THE AREA FOR ABOUT 4-1/2 MINUTES BEFORE CRASHING. THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK TREES AND SEPARATED. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE TOPS OF TREES WERE OBSCURED BY FOG. NONE OF THE WITNESSES HEARD ANY INTERRUPTION OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9271](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9271-1990-09-17), registration cancelled 1990-09-17, S/N 246 (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: 246
- Airframe hours: 685
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360C1B 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Romeo E. Fluet
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1987, 6 hours before
- Departed: HOLLIS, NH
- Destination: RINDGE, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 685 total, 685 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MHT, 12 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 19870703034039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870703034039A), Jul 3, 1987: Enstrm F28A, Mason, NH, Destroyed, 1 fatal. VFR pilot operated into area of trees obscured by fog while trying to make a landing. Struck trees and crashed.

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.