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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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NTSB Report

August 27, 1993 · Enstrom F28A · N269Q

Meriden, CT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 27, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Meriden, CT
Aircraft
Enstrom F28A
Tail Number
N269Q
Operator
Meriden Aviation Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC93LA175

DURING A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT THE PILOT ELECTED TO PERFORM A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION. DURING THE MANEUVER THE ENGINE LOST COMPLETE POWER. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND HARD, BECAME AIRBORNE, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM AND SEPARATED THE BOOM FROM THE FUSELAGE. A TEST RUN PERFORMED ON THE ENGINE REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

Full Narrative

On Friday, August 27, 1993, at about 1620 eastern daylight time, an Enstrom F28A, helicopter, N269Q, piloted by Mr. Mark Lavoie, collided with the terrain during a practice autorotation at the Meriden Airport, Meriden, Connecticut. The helicopter was substantially damaged, and the pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91. Maintenance had recently been performed on the helicopter, and the pilot took off for a test flight. The pilot elected to perform a practice autorotation. During this maneuver the engine lost complete power. The helicopter impacted the ground; became airborne; turned 90 degrees; and the main rotor blades struck the tail boom. According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2: ...entered autorotation at approximately 1,000 feet MSL...all indications and aircraft operation normal...rotor RPM O.K...engine RPM "0". Engine failure verified...ground contact on aft portion of skids...loud "whack" and violent torque twist... FAA Inspector, Edwin Odell, examined the wreckage after the accident and said that fuel and oil were present. Mr. Odell said, "...no outward sign of mechanical malfunction was noted." All three fuel sumps were drained and according to Mr. Odell, "...a small amount of water was noted at the right fuel tank drain." No water was found at the left fuel tank or sump. The main rotor transmission clutch was disengaged, the engine was test run and no discrepancies were observed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 EDT
Nearest AirportMeriden-Markham (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length3100 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEnstrom F28A
Tail NumberN269Q
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMeriden Aviation Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-C1A · Reciprocating · 205
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data