# NTSB NYC87MA024: Enstrom F-28F, N8617B, Manhattan, NY, October 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1986, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Manhattan, NY
- Coordinates: 40.759391, -73.990242 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7594&lon=-73.9902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 28, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30746
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87MA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30746/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87MA024

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - rotor drive system,freewheeling sprag unit - failure,total (cause)
  - rotor drive system,freewheeling sprag unit - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - movement restricted (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONTRACTED BY NBC TO MAKE DAILY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC OBSERVATIONS IN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER, AN NBC RADIO TRAFFIC REPORTER, WERE FLYING IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION ALONG MANHATTAN'S WEST SIDE AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 75 FEET. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT'S MAIN ROTOR BLADES STOP, THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED RAPIDLY, STRUCK THE TOP OF A CHAIN LINK FENCE AT A RIVER PIER, CRASHED INTO THE HUDSON RIVER AND SANK IN 15 TO 20 FEET OF WATER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE SPRAG CLUTCH WAS INADEQUATELY LUBRICATED, HAD 'ROLLED OVER' IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF ITS DESIGN AND THE SPRAG ASSEMBLY WAS DAMAGED. SEVERAL SPRAGS AND BOTH ACTIVATING SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND DIFFERENT SIZE SPRAGS WERE INSTALLED. AN UNAUTHORIZED, OVERHAULED CLUTCH HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8617B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8617B-2013-04-26), registration cancelled 2013-04-26, S/N 700, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28F
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28F](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28f) (registry code 3300412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 700
- Airframe hours: 1828
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-F1AD 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Spectrum Helicopters,Inc.
- Registered owner: Spectrum Helicopters Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 6, 1986, 49 hours before
- Departed: RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,647 total, 51 in this make and model, 1,594 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19861022087409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861022087409A), Oct 22, 1986: Enstrm F28F, Manhattan, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost main rotor drive flying at low altitude. Crashed into a fence and river. Incorrect sprague clutch installed.

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.