# NTSB SEA83LA134: Enstrom F28A, N9240, Lebanon, OR, June 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1983, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Lebanon, OR
- Coordinates: 44.520126, -122.81076 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5201&lon=-122.8108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39718
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39718/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA134

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - flight manuals - inaccurate, manufacturer (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS DAMAGED IN A ROLL-OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING ON A SOFT PLOWED FIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS CHECKING ANOTHER COMPANY PILOT AND IN DOING SO HE ABRUPTLY REDUCED POWER TO SIMULATE ENGINE FAILURE. A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. THE ACFT WAS AT 1800 FT MSL. AN AUTOROTATION WAS MADE ONTO A SOFT PLOWED FIELD. THE PILOT INITIATED A FLARE AT 50 FT AGL WITH THE ACFT SKIDDING 20 FT AND SPINNING AROUND 180 DEGREES BEFORE COMING TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.A LATER VERSION OF THE OPERATORS MANUAL STATES THAT CAUTION SHOULD BE USED IN ABRUPT POWER CHANGES DUE TO THE SENSITIVITY OF THE FUEL INJECTED ENGINES. THE MANUAL FOR THIS ACFT DOES NOT CONTAIN THAT STATEMENT. THE PILOT AND OPERATOR STATED DURING INTERVIEW THAT THE THROTTLE WAS ABRUPTLY REDUCED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9240](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9240-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N 215 (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: 215
- Airframe hours: 1276
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-CIB 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Pilot Personnel International
- Registered owner: Interstate Paving
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 24, 1983, 5 hours before
- Departed: S30, LEBANON, OR
- Destination: S30, LEBANON, OR
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 559 total, 66 in this make and model, 432 as pilot in command, 158 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLE, 28 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 19830627027209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830627027209A), Jun 27, 1983: Enstrm F28A, Lebanon, OR, Substantial damage. Engine quit during practice autorotation. Rolled over on landing in a plowed field. Throttled back too abruptly.

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.