# NTSB NYC97LA119: Enstrom F-280C, N5700J, Sharon, VT, June 13, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 13, 1997, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Sharon, VT - Location: 43.7845° N, 72.4543° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sharon, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7845&lon=-72.4543&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39378 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39378/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA119 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to descend and fly at 100 feet over a river and his failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance, which resulted in the in-flight collision with wires. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - object - wire,transmission - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command - Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot and passenger departed on a local flight to land in a school yard to display the helicopter. After takeoff from the departure airport, the pilot over flew the school, then established a long final approach to the school yard. After crossing an interstate overpass, the pilot descended over a river. The helicopter struck wires that extended across the river, about 100 feet above the water, approximately 3/4 of a mile west of the intended school landing area. The helicopter came to rest in 2 feet of water. The pilot listed 429 hours of total flight experience, of which 193 were in helicopters, and 152 hours of helicopter pilot-in-command experience. The pilot did not provide experience in make and model, but listed 1.3 hours of helicopter experience during the previous 90 days. ## Factual narrative On June 13, 1997, about 1100 eastern daylight time, an Enstrom F-280C, N5700J, was substantially damaged during a collision with wires and descent into water near Sharon, Vermont. The certificated private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Lebanon, New Hampshire, about 1045, destined for Sharon. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to land in a school yard and give a speech to students about helicopters. After departure from Lebanon, the pilot flew to Sharon, and circled the school. The pilot further stated: "...I then turned a slow 180 degrees, lining up with the river. After crossing over the Interstate bridge, I started a descent into the valley. This particular year my passenger requested we go lower into the valley...I slowed the ship down to approx 40 knots, and descended lower for a few seconds maintaining an approach to an island in from of us...I had just started to abort the approach to the island and started a slow climb when I caught the wire ahead...I tried to ascend immediately, but still caught the top high tension lines...suddenly the wire let go...I started a forward flight to the island to land...I heard and felt a severe noise followed by a loss of tail rotor control...I cut back power to stop [the] helicopter from spinning...The helicopter landed in 2 feet of water..." According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the helicopter came to rest in about 2 to 3 feet of water. Impact damage to the helicopter from contact with the wires began on the upper cabin area, and extended to the main rotor mast and main rotor blades. Examination of the helicopter revealed no preimpact failure of the flight controls or engine. The helicopter struck wires that extended across the river, about 100 feet above the water, approximately 3/4 of a mile west of the intended school landing area. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot listed 429 hours of total flight experience, of which 193 were in helicopters, and 152 hours of helicopter pilot-in-command experience. The pilot did not provide experience in make and model, but did list 1.3 hours of helicopter experience during the previous 90 days. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5700J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5700J-2017-06-29), registration cancelled 2017-06-29, S/N 1219 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Enstrom F-280C - Registry model: [Enstrom F-28C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28c) (registry code 3300407) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1219 - Airframe hours: 1267 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-E1BD 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Roger D. Sharkey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 19, 1997, 34 hours before - Departed: LEB, LEBANON, NH - Destination: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 429 total, 314 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LEB, 11 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 19970613014129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970613014129A), Jun 13, 1997: Enstrm F28C, Sharon, VT, Substantial damage. Helicopter struck power lines and crashed into the river. 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.