# NTSB NYC90LA200: Enstrom F-28A, N9597, Ravenna, OH, August 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1990, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Ravenna, OH
- Coordinates: 41.149681, -81.239151 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1497&lon=-81.2392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36721
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36721/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA200

## Probable cause

A POWER LOSS, DUE TO CONTAMINATION FROM DETERIORATING FUEL TANK SEALANT, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO NOTICE THE CONTAMINATION DURING PREFLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,tank - deteriorated (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing
  - terrain condition - downhill

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A LAKE SHORELINE. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE GROUND. POST CRASH EXAMINATION BY THE FAA REVEALED THE FUEL INJECTORS AND FUEL SUMP HAD CONTAMINATION SIMILAR TO THE FUEL TANK SEALANT. THE PILOT DID NOT DETECT THE CONTAMINATION DURING PREFLIGHT. THE FAA ALSO REPORTED THE SLOPING SHORELINE WAS THE ONLY AVAILABLE PLACE FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9597](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9597-1991-04-25), registration cancelled 1991-04-25, S/N 145 (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: 0145
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tom Fitalkovich
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1989
- Departed: 29G
- Airport: 29G, Portage County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,300 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 10,150 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900824036249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900824036249A), Aug 24, 1990: Enstrm F28A, Ravenna, OH, Substantial damage. Engine lost power shortly after takeoff. Rotors hit uneven ground landing. Fuel contaminated by fuel cell sealant.

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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