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NTSB Report

June 14, 2015 · Enstrom F 28C · N51778

Romeoville, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 14, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Romeoville, IL
Aircraft
Enstrom F 28C (1978)
Tail Number
N51778
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN15CA274

The certified flight instructor (CFI) was giving flight instruction in the piston engine powered helicopter to an experienced airplane pilot, who had a total of about 2 hours of helicopter flight experience. The pilot receiving instruction was hovering the helicopter while oriented into the wind and he allowed the rotor RPM to decrease. While the helicopter was turning to the left, the CFI took over control, but was unable to regain RPM. The helicopter continued to turn to the left and the CFI conducted a downwind emergency running landing to soft muddy turf. After a ground run of about 15 to 20 feet the helicopter began to turn to the right and skids of the helicopter dug into the soft turf. The helicopter rolled 90 degrees onto its left side and both main rotor blades impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, transmission, tail rotor, tail boom and fuselage. The CFI reported that he had been too slow in taking remedial action. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The characteristics displayed by the helicopter were indicative of it encountering a dynamic rollover.

NTSB Probable Cause

The certified flight instructor (CFI) did not maintain directional control during a downwind emergency running landing to soft muddy terrain, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. Contributing to the accident was the CFI's delayed or insufficient remedial action when the pilot receiving instruction did not control the rotor RPM during hovering flight.

Full Narrative

The certified flight instructor (CFI) was giving flight instruction in the piston engine powered helicopter to an experienced airplane pilot, who had a total of about 2 hours of helicopter flight experience. The pilot receiving instruction was hovering the helicopter while oriented into the wind and he allowed the rotor RPM to decrease. While the helicopter was turning to the left, the CFI took over control, but was unable to regain RPM. The helicopter continued to turn to the left and the CFI conducted a downwind emergency running landing to soft muddy turf. After a ground run of about 15 to 20 feet the helicopter began to turn to the right and skids of the helicopter dug into the soft turf. The helicopter rolled 90 degrees onto its left side and both main rotor blades impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, transmission, tail rotor, tail boom and fuselage. The CFI reported that he had been too slow in taking remedial action. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest AirportLewis University (0nm E)
Runway27
Runway Length5696 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEnstrom F 28C
Tail NumberN51778
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360 · Reciprocating · 205
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 29 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 11 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data