# NTSB NYC93LA175: Enstrom F28A, N269Q, Meriden, CT, August 27, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 27, 1993, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Meriden, CT - Location: 41.5087° N, 72.8295° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MERIDEN MARKHAM MUNI (MMK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5087&lon=-72.8295&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38648 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38648/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA175 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, maneuvering - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis DURING A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT THE PILOT ELECTED TO PERFORM A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION. DURING THE MANEUVER THE ENGINE LOST COMPLETE POWER. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND HARD, BECAME AIRBORNE, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM AND SEPARATED THE BOOM FROM THE FUSELAGE. A TEST RUN PERFORMED ON THE ENGINE REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES. ## Factual narrative On Friday, August 27, 1993, at about 1620 eastern daylight time, an Enstrom F28A, helicopter, N269Q, piloted by Mr. Mark Lavoie, collided with the terrain during a practice autorotation at the Meriden Airport, Meriden, Connecticut. The helicopter was substantially damaged, and the pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91. Maintenance had recently been performed on the helicopter, and the pilot took off for a test flight. The pilot elected to perform a practice autorotation. During this maneuver the engine lost complete power. The helicopter impacted the ground; became airborne; turned 90 degrees; and the main rotor blades struck the tail boom. According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2: ...entered autorotation at approximately 1,000 feet MSL...all indications and aircraft operation normal...rotor RPM O.K...engine RPM "0". Engine failure verified...ground contact on aft portion of skids...loud "whack" and violent torque twist... FAA Inspector, Edwin Odell, examined the wreckage after the accident and said that fuel and oil were present. Mr. Odell said, "...no outward sign of mechanical malfunction was noted." All three fuel sumps were drained and according to Mr. Odell, "...a small amount of water was noted at the right fuel tank drain." No water was found at the left fuel tank or sump. The main rotor transmission clutch was disengaged, the engine was test run and no discrepancies were observed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N269Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N269Q-2013-08-23), registration cancelled 2013-08-23, S/N 294, 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: 294 - Airframe hours: 2691 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-C1A 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Mark Lavoie - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1993, 50 hours before - Departed: MMK - Destination: MMK - Airport: MMK, Meriden-Markham, runway 36, 3,100 × 50 ft, macadam ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 627 total, 372 in this make and model, 561 as pilot in command, 117 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Temperature: 91 °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 19930827031609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930827031609A), Aug 27, 1993: Enstrm F28A, Meriden, CT, Substantial damage. Lost power on practice autorotation. Impacted ground. Bounced and main rotors chopped tail. Water in fuel system. ## Other investigations on N269Q (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 LAX76FUG43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76FUG43), Apr 4, 1976: Enstrom F-28A (N269Q), Blythe, CA, substantial damage 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.