Enstrom F-28C N88RA

Summary

On 9 May 1989 at about 20:30 local time, a Enstrom F-28C registered N88RA, operated by Fair, Fred, was involved in an accident near Regina, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 May 1989 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Regina, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

36.1801, -106.9503

Aircraft

Enstrom F-28C

Registration

N88RA

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Fair, Fred

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN89LA118

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND DISREGARD OF THE HELICOPTERS PERFORMANCE DATA. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS WHICH EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

WHILE CONDUCTING A TEST FLT FOLLOWING REPAIRS TO THE TAIL ROTOR DUE TO AN EARLIER ACCIDENT THE PLT STRUCK THE TAIL ROTOR ON THE GROUND WHILE TRANSITIONING FROM FORWARD FLT TO A HOVER. THE GROUND CONTACT CAUSED THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT TO FAIL AND THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE IN THE ENSUING CRASH. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS CALCULATED TO BE 10,400 FT. THE ENSTROM F-28C OPERATORS HANDBOOK NOTES THAT THE GROUND EFFECT HOVER CEILING IS 8,800 FT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.