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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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September 18, 1988 · Enstrom F28A · N249Q

Celina, OH

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 18, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Celina, OH
Aircraft
Enstrom F28A
Tail Number
N249Q
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI88LA239

AFTER 2 UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO TAKEOFF, THE PLT/OWNER TRIED A 3RD TAKEOFF IN HIS NEWLY PURCHASED HELICOPTER. HE RPRTD THAT DURING THE FIRST 2 ATTEMPTS TO TAKEOFF, HE COULDN'T SEEM TO GET 100% OF HIS LEFT PEDAL AUTHORITY. SHORTLY AFTER THE HELICOPTER BECAME AIRBORNE ON THE 3RD ATTEMPT, IT TURNED ABRUPTLY TO THE RIGHT, EVEN THOUGH THE PLT HAD THE LEFT PEDAL IN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED IN AN ANIMAL PEN AREA. THE PLT RPRTD THAT A NON-QUALIFIED PERSON HAD MADE A TAIL ROTOR PITCH ADJUSTMENT ON THE HELICOPTER PRIOR TO THE ACDNT FLT. THE PLT HAD ONLY 2 HRS OF FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF ACFT.

Full Narrative

AFTER 2 UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO TAKEOFF, THE PLT/OWNER TRIED A 3RD TAKEOFF IN HIS NEWLY PURCHASED HELICOPTER. HE RPRTD THAT DURING THE FIRST 2 ATTEMPTS TO TAKEOFF, HE COULDN'T SEEM TO GET 100% OF HIS LEFT PEDAL AUTHORITY. SHORTLY AFTER THE HELICOPTER BECAME AIRBORNE ON THE 3RD ATTEMPT, IT TURNED ABRUPTLY TO THE RIGHT, EVEN THOUGH THE PLT HAD THE LEFT PEDAL IN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED IN AN ANIMAL PEN AREA. THE PLT RPRTD THAT A NON-QUALIFIED PERSON HAD MADE A TAIL ROTOR PITCH ADJUSTMENT ON THE HELICOPTER PRIOR TO THE ACDNT FLT. THE PLT HAD ONLY 2 HRS OF FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF ACFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EDT
Nearest AirportLakefield County (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEnstrom F28A
Tail NumberN249Q
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-C1A · Reciprocating · 205
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 6 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data