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NTSB Report
May 27, 1988 · Enstrom F28A · N4898
La Verne, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 27, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
La Verne, CA
Aircraft
Enstrom F28A
Tail Number
N4898
Operator
Hiser Helicopter
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX88LA198
THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD DURING A PRACTICE TOUCHDOWN AUTOROTATION (AUTO). THE HELO REMAINED IN CLOSED TRAFFIC FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRACTICING TOUCHDOWN AUTOS TO A LANDING AREA ADJACENT TO THE APRT'S RWY. THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER HELO IN CLOSED TRAFFIC USING THE LANDING AREA FOR THE SAME PURPOSE. THE OTHER HELO WAS LANDING LONG IN THE AREA ALLOWING THE ACCIDENT HELO TO USE THE FIRST HALF. THE PVT PLT INITIATED THE AUTO. THE CFI THEN TOOK COMMAND OF THE HELO BECAUSE HE FELT THEY WOULD NOT CLEAR A PERIMETER FENCE LOCATED SHORT OF THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN POINT. THE CFI THEN APPLIED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO EXTEND THE GLIDE OVER THE FENCE. THE PRIVATE PLT INDICATED THAT THE ROTOR RPM WAS DEPLETED AND THE CFI DID NOT FLARE THE HELO SUFFICIENTLY TO REGAIN ROTOR RPM OR DECREASE THE GROUND SPEED. THE HELO LANDED HARD AND BOUNCED. NEITHER THE PRIVATE PLT NOR THE CFI REPORTED ANY MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD DURING A PRACTICE TOUCHDOWN AUTOROTATION (AUTO). THE HELO REMAINED IN CLOSED TRAFFIC FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRACTICING TOUCHDOWN AUTOS TO A LANDING AREA ADJACENT TO THE APRT'S RWY. THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER HELO IN CLOSED TRAFFIC USING THE LANDING AREA FOR THE SAME PURPOSE. THE OTHER HELO WAS LANDING LONG IN THE AREA ALLOWING THE ACCIDENT HELO TO USE THE FIRST HALF. THE PVT PLT INITIATED THE AUTO. THE CFI THEN TOOK COMMAND OF THE HELO BECAUSE HE FELT THEY WOULD NOT CLEAR A PERIMETER FENCE LOCATED SHORT OF THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN POINT. THE CFI THEN APPLIED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO EXTEND THE GLIDE OVER THE FENCE. THE PRIVATE PLT INDICATED THAT THE ROTOR RPM WAS DEPLETED AND THE CFI DID NOT FLARE THE HELO SUFFICIENTLY TO REGAIN ROTOR RPM OR DECREASE THE GROUND SPEED. THE HELO LANDED HARD AND BOUNCED. NEITHER THE PRIVATE PLT NOR THE CFI REPORTED ANY MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 PDT
Nearest AirportBrackett Field (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftEnstrom F28A
Tail NumberN4898
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHiser Helicopter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HI0-360-CIA · Reciprocating · 205
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility4 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:50
Weather SourceWFAC