# NTSB NYC89LA213: Enstrom F28A, N203Q, Boston, MA, September 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1989, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Boston, MA
- Location: 42.3584° N, 71.0598° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Boston, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3584&lon=-71.0598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36478
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36478/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA213

## Probable cause

FAILUE OF PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WHEN A PASSENGER INADVERTENTLY PUSHED THE CYCLIC CONTROL.  THE FENCE (NEAR THE HELIPAD) WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, hover
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DRG LIFT-OFF TO A HOVER AT THE BEGINNING OF A FLT, A PASSENGER (SEATED IN THE MIDDLE SEAT OF THE HELICOPTER) INADVERTENTLY PUSHED THE CYCLIC CONTROL WITH HIS LEG. THE PLT STATED THAT THIS CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO DRIFT LEFT & REARWARD. SUBSEQUENTLY, A SKID CAUGHT ON A BARBED WIRE FENCE NEAR THE HELIPAD. SINCE THE PLT DID NOT KNOW WHAT DAMAGE MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED, HE ELECTED TO LAND IMMEDIATELY. AS THE HELICOPTER WAS LANDED, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE(S) STRUCK A FENCE POST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N203Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N203Q-2013-11-01), registration cancelled 2013-11-01, S/N 271, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28A
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28A](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28a) (registry code 3300406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 271
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-C1A 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Tma Inc.
- Registered owner: Tma, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 1MA3
- Airport: 1MA3, Boston Heliport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,500 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 6,300 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °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 19890908034109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890908034109A), Sep 8, 1989: Enstrm F28A, Boston, MA, Substantial damage. Lift off to a hover,passenger accidently hit cyclic causing backup towards fence,tried to recover but struck fence.

## Other investigations on N203Q (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC95IA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95IA164), Jul 9, 1995: Enstrom F-28A (N203Q), Philadelphia, PA, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in a collision with the water.

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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