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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 10, 1994 · Enstrom F-28A · N292Q

Bangor, ME

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 10, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Bangor, ME
Aircraft
Enstrom F-28A
Tail Number
N292Q
Operator
Merril Kearney
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO94LA129

The helicopter collided with terrain during cruise flight at night over wooded terrain in conditions which the pilot described as 'no ground light or cellestial lights.' According to the pilot, he noticed a fast 'moving light coming from my left to right at what appeared to be my altitude.' He did an evasive manuever to avoid a collision, but in doing so he lost control of the helicopter which collided with underlying trees. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's loss of aircraft control. Factors are dark night conditions, and the pilot's execution of an evasive maneuver.

Full Narrative

On August 9, 1994, about 2130 eastern daylight time, an Enstrom F-28, N292Q, collided with terrain in a wooded area in Old Town, Maine. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The deparute point was Bar Harbor, Maine. The destination was Houlton, Maine. The local personal flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he was about 30 minutes into the flight at an altitude of 1500 feet (mean sea level) and a speed of 100 mph. He reported, "I was over wooded area where there were no lights at all, when all of a sudden I saw a fast moving light coming from left to my right at what appeared to be at my altitude." This really scared me and that is when all my trouble started. I may have put the helicopter into trouble by trying to avoid what I thought was going to hit me . . . After the object went in front of me, the helicopter became almost uncontrollable and the next thing I knew, I was crashing into the woods." The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEnstrom F-28A
Tail NumberN292Q
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMerril Kearney
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360 · Reciprocating · 205
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind230°
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data