# NTSB NYC92LA100: Enstrom F28A, N296Q, Malvern, PA, June 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1992, 08:50 local (12:50 UTC)
- Place: Malvern, PA
- Coordinates: 40.030647, -75.50949 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0306&lon=-75.5095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37157/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA100

## Probable cause

THE PILOT ABRUPTLY MOVED THE CYCLIC REARWARD WHICH RESULTED IN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRIKING AND SEPARATING THE TAIL BOOM.  A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT MUDDY FIELD.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - rain
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
- Abrupt maneuver, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - cyclic - abrupt, pilot in command (cause)
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A CORNFIELD BECAUSE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS HAD DETERIORATED.  UPON LANDING, THE FRONT OF THE SKIDS STARTED TO SINK INTO THE MUDDY GROUND.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE SKIDS FROM SINKING BY PULLING REARWARD ON THE CYCLIC, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N296Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N296Q), registered now, S/N 316, 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: 375
- Airframe hours: 1780
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-CIA 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: William Muggleston
- Registered owner: Freedom Traffic Patrol Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 1991, 96 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,800 total, 275 in this make and model, 10,500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots

## 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 19920605018829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920605018829A), Jun 5, 1992: Enstrm F28A, Malvern, PA, Substantial damage. Heavy rain shower prevented landing at base. Landed in muddy field. Front of skids sunk in mud. Chopped tail boom.

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.