# NTSB NYC95IA164: Enstrom F-28A, N203Q, Philadelphia, PA, July 9, 1995 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 1995, 11:48 local (15:48 UTC) - Place: Philadelphia, PA - Location: 39.9523° N, 75.1638° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Philadelphia, PA, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9523&lon=-75.1638&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 6, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38875 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95IA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38875/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95IA164 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in a collision with the water. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot manuevered the helicopter for takeoff to the east, over the Delaware River. As the helicopter entered effective translational lift, it began to sink, and rotor rpm decreased. The pilot increased the throttle, but the rotor rpm did not increase in time. The skids contacted the water, resulting in the helicopter going into the water, and sinking. The pilot stated, 'I do not believe that there was a mechanical problem . . . I failed to maintain safe operating (rotor) rpm on takeoff.' The pilot also stated, 'he didn't give enough throttle and didn't stay ahead of the (rotor) rpm.' ## Factual narrative On July 9, 1995, about 1148 eastern daylight time, an Enstrom F- 28A, helicopter, N203Q, collided with water during takeoff from the Riverfront Heliport (P97), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The helicopter received minor damage. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, as a local sightseeing excursion. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter for takeoff to the east, over the Delaware River. He stated that "as the helicopter entered effective translational lift, it began to sink, and the rotor rpm bled down." The pilot increased the throttle, but according to his statement, the "rpm's did not increase in time." The helicopter skids contacted the water resulting in the helicopter contacting the water and sinking. The pilot stated, "I do not believe that there was a mechanical problem...I failed to maintain safe operating rpm on takeoff." According to the FAA Inspector's statement the pilot told him that after the rotor rpm began to decrease, "...he didn't give enough throttle and didn't stay ahead of the rpm." The FAA reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from 270 degrees, at 9 knots. At the time of the accident, the pilot had 770 total flight hours, and 55.9 flight hours in this make and model helicopter. Life vests were available and accessible to all the occupants, but they were not used. The helicopter was not equipped with floats. Additional damage to the helicopter occurred during the recovery operation, when the police department pulled the helicopter from the river across large rocks. ## 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 F-28A - 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 - Airframe hours: 3198 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-AIA 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Theodore C. Jones - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1995, 67 hours before - Departed: P97 - Airport: P97, Riverfront Heliport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 770 total, 56 in this make and model, 480 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 86 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 9 knots - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 19950709021169I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950709021169I), Jul 9, 1995: Enstrm F28A, Philadelphia, PA, Minor damage. Took off from helipad and settled into river. Lost rotor RPM during transitional lift. ## 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 NYC89LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA213), Sep 8, 1989: Enstrom F28A (N203Q), Boston, MA, substantial damage. 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. 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.