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NTSB Report
December 17, 1989 · Enstrom F-28 · N550TA
Cincinnati, OH
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 17, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Cincinnati, OH
Aircraft
Enstrom F-28
Tail Number
N550TA
Operator
Air Traffic Airways
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL90FA040
WITNESSES NOTED THAT AFTER THE BANNER WAS SNAGGED DURING A PICKUP (WITH A CESSNA 182, N8940T), THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO INCREASE IN POWER & THAT THE PLT IMMEDIATELY RELEASED THE BANNER. THEY NOTED THE CESSNA SEEMED TO MUSH AS THE PLT TRIEDTO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A HELICOPTER (ENTROM F-28, N550TA). BOTH ACFT WERE EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. DURING A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE CESSNA, THE THROTTLE LINKAGE WOULD NOT OPERATE FROM THE COCKPIT. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED A SEPN BETWEEN THE LINKAGE HOUSING & THROTTLE STEM, AS WELL AS A PERMANENT BEND IN THE STEEL INNER CABLE (ABOUT 10' FM THE CONTROL KNOB). NO OTHER ENG PROBLEM WAS FOUND. DURING AN OPNL CHECK OF THE ENG, IT RAN NORMALLY.
NTSB Probable Cause
PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, DUE TO BINDING, BENDING, AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE/CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE OBSTRUCTIONS WERE A RELATED FACTOR.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES NOTED THAT AFTER THE BANNER WAS SNAGGED DURING A PICKUP (WITH A CESSNA 182, N8940T), THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO INCREASE IN POWER & THAT THE PLT IMMEDIATELY RELEASED THE BANNER. THEY NOTED THE CESSNA SEEMED TO MUSH AS THE PLT TRIEDTO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A HELICOPTER (ENTROM F-28, N550TA). BOTH ACFT WERE EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. DURING A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE CESSNA, THE THROTTLE LINKAGE WOULD NOT OPERATE FROM THE COCKPIT. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED A SEPN BETWEEN THE LINKAGE HOUSING & THROTTLE STEM, AS WELL AS A PERMANENT BEND IN THE STEEL INNER CABLE (ABOUT 10' FM THE CONTROL KNOB). NO OTHER ENG PROBLEM WAS FOUND. DURING AN OPNL CHECK OF THE ENG, IT RAN NORMALLY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:12 EST
Nearest AirportLunken Field (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftEnstrom F-28
Tail NumberN550TA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAir Traffic Airways
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-L · Reciprocating · 230 | Lycoming · HIO-360-C1B · Reciprocating · 205
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:20
Weather SourceWFAC