# NTSB NYC89LA048: Enstrom F28F, N5699M, Bradford, NH, December 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1988, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Bradford, NH
- Location: 43.2717° N, 71.9618° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bradford, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2717&lon=-71.9618&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36350/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA048

## Probable cause

AN INFLIGHT CONTACT WITH TREES DURING TAKEOFF AFTER THE STUDENT PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO HIS FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENSTROM F28, PILOTED BY A STUDENT PILOT, MADE A TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE PAD ON THE PILOT'S PROPERTY. AFTER GETTING THE HELICOPTER TO A HOVER, THE PILOT REPORTED THE HELICOPTER FELT AS IF IT HAD BEEN PUT IN A SEVERE FORWARD ATTITUDE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A HARD LANDING ON THE PAD, HOWEVER, HE WAS NOW ALMOST OFF THE PAD AND TREES WERE 25 FEET AHEAD. THE MAIN ROTORS CONTACTED TREES. THE PILOT SAID THE FLIGHT CONTROLS WERE WRENCHED FROM HIS HANDS AND THE TAIL STRUCK A STONE WALL. THE FAA REPORTED THAT THE PILOT SAID HE TOOK OFF WITH A TAILWIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5699M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28F
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 509
- Airframe hours: 1617
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-F1AD 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glendon Mayo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 21, 1988, 18 hours before
- Departed: BRADFORD, NH
- Destination: CON, CONCORD, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 119 total, 96 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 7 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 9 °F, dew point -0 °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 19881212054109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881212054109A), Dec 12, 1988: Enstrm F28F, Bradford, NH, Substantial damage. Lost control after downwind liftoff. Rotors struck trees that were near private helipad.

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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