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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

May 20, 1983 · Enstrom F-28C · N654H

Wise, VA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 20, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Wise, VA
Aircraft
Enstrom F-28C
Tail Number
N654H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL83LA191

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD STAYED IN THE LOCAL AREA & HAD BEEN PRACTICING SLOW HOVER OVER THE GRASS BESIDE THE RWY. THERE WAS A PAVED RAMP THAT HE HAD TO CROSS, EACH TIME HE WENT FROM ONE END OF THE RWY TO THE OTHER. HE SAID WHEN HE CAME TO THIS AREA, HE WOULD CLIMB TO ABOUT 35 TO 50 FT, BEFORE CROSSING. AFTER CROSSING THE RAMP, HE WOULD LET DOWN ON THE OTHER SIDE. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE WIND CHANGED AS HE WAS CROSSING THE RAMP WHICH RESULTED IN A TAIL WIND. AFTER HE STARTED BACK DOWN, THE HELICOPTER WOULD NOT STOP DESCENDING UNTIL IT HIT THE GROUND. IT BOUNCED APRX 10 TO 12 FT IN THE AIR. DURING THE BOUNCE, THE PLT FELT AN UNUSUAL VIBRATION & HAD VERY LITTLE CONTROL. THEREFORE, HE SHUT-OFF THE MASTER SWITCH & LET IT FALL. APRX 2 FT OF THE TAIL BOOM WAS CUT OFF, THE SKIDS WERE BENT UP & THE BELLY & MAIN ROTORS WERE DAMAGED. REPORTEDLY THE IMPACT OCCURRED WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS SETTLING WITH POWER APPLIED.

Full Narrative

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD STAYED IN THE LOCAL AREA & HAD BEEN PRACTICING SLOW HOVER OVER THE GRASS BESIDE THE RWY. THERE WAS A PAVED RAMP THAT HE HAD TO CROSS, EACH TIME HE WENT FROM ONE END OF THE RWY TO THE OTHER. HE SAID WHEN HE CAME TO THIS AREA, HE WOULD CLIMB TO ABOUT 35 TO 50 FT, BEFORE CROSSING. AFTER CROSSING THE RAMP, HE WOULD LET DOWN ON THE OTHER SIDE. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE WIND CHANGED AS HE WAS CROSSING THE RAMP WHICH RESULTED IN A TAIL WIND. AFTER HE STARTED BACK DOWN, THE HELICOPTER WOULD NOT STOP DESCENDING UNTIL IT HIT THE GROUND. IT BOUNCED APRX 10 TO 12 FT IN THE AIR. DURING THE BOUNCE, THE PLT FELT AN UNUSUAL VIBRATION & HAD VERY LITTLE CONTROL. THEREFORE, HE SHUT-OFF THE MASTER SWITCH & LET IT FALL. APRX 2 FT OF THE TAIL BOOM WAS CUT OFF, THE SKIDS WERE BENT UP & THE BELLY & MAIN ROTORS WERE DAMAGED. REPORTEDLY THE IMPACT OCCURRED WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS SETTLING WITH POWER APPLIED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EDT
Nearest AirportLonesome Pine (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEnstrom F-28C
Tail NumberN654H
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-E1AD · Reciprocating · 205
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:49
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data