# NTSB NYC91LA107: Enstrom F28A, N58KC, Leetonia, OH, April 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1991, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Leetonia, OH
- Coordinates: 40.870128, -80.759208 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8701&lon=-80.7592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36904
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36904/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA107

## Probable cause

THE HELICOPTER HOVER PERFORMANCE WAS EXCEEDED BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO PERFORM A NORMAL APPROACH TO A LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH WINDS AND THE TAILWIND CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - aircraft performance,helicopter hover performance - exceeded (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - not received, pilot in command
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command
  - procedures/directives - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

A 67 YEARS OLD HELICOPTER STUDENT PILOT WITH AN EXPIRED STUDENT CERTIFICATE AND MEDICAL ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A FIELD WITH STRONG WINDS GUSTING TO 24 KNOTS.  THE HELICOPTER WAS AT A HIGH HOVER MANEUVERING INTO THE FIELD AND AS HE TURNED DOWNWIND HE SETTLED WITH POWER INTO SURROUNDING TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58KC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58KC-1991-09-20), registration cancelled 1991-09-20, S/N 208 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28A
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28A](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28a) (registry code 3300406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 208
- Airframe hours: 1817
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-C1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John L. Sikora
- Registered owner: Coin Contracting, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1989
- Departed: 29G, RAVENNA, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 36 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 12 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: YNG, 18 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 19910406009149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910406009149A), Apr 6, 1991: Enstrm F28A, Leetonia, OH, Substantial damage. Settled into trees while hovering to land in open field. Gusty strong surface winds in area.

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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