Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

March 26, 2016 · Enstrom F280 F · N5698Y

Sodus, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 26, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Sodus, NY
Aircraft
Enstrom F280 F (1981)
Tail Number
N5698Y
Operator
B a C Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA16CA163

The flight instructor reported that he asked the pilot receiving instruction to demonstrate a run-on landing on the sod between the runway and taxiway. He reported that as the helicopter touched down at about 25 miles per hour (21.72 knots), the pilot lowered the collective to the full down position while the helicopter was still moving forward with considerable momentum. The helicopter began to "lurch forward" and the nose of the helicopter started to lower. The flight instructor then came on the flight controls, but the helicopter had progressed to an "extreme nose low attitude," and he applied aft cyclic to prevent the main rotor blades from impacting terrain. The main rotor blades instead impacted and separated the tailboom. The fuselage continued moving forward and the nose impacted terrain and then settled back on the skids. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor system, tailboom, and tail rotor system. The flight instructor verified that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported that he recommended landing on sod due to potential wear on the bottom of the skids from friction with the paved runway. He also reported that the pilot had successfully performed run-on landings in the past on the sod area. As a safety recommendation, the flight instructor reported that landing the helicopter on the runway instead of the sod may have lessened the effects of improper application of the collective at touchdown. He reported that he should have verbally reviewed the importance of using the collective to control the friction with the landing surface while in the traffic pattern to ensure the pilot's intentions were mutually understood. He further reported that he should have maintained a guarded position on the flight controls regardless of the pilot's abilities to decrease the flight instructor's reaction time for maneuver recovery. Enstrom Helicopter Corporation has published the Enstrom 280F Training Maneuvers Manual (2014). This manual discusses objectives and descriptions for a shallow approach and run-on landing, and states in part: Caution, Enstrom does not endorse practicing run-on landings. Run-on landings should only be accomplished on a smooth, hard surface; and should always be planned to the center of the runway to preclude sliding off the runway, and overturning. After ground contact, maintain heading with pedals and maintain collective position. Ensure that power is maintained until the helicopter comes to a complete stop to insure directional control. The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Helicopter Instructor's Handbook FAA-H-8083-4 (2012). This handbook provides instructional information for a shallow approach and run-on landing and states in part: In any case, do not rapidly lower the collective after touchdown. Smooth reduction of collective prevents a rapid stop that could result in damage to the aircraft or injury to the crew. For helicopters equipped with skids, it may be better to practice running landings on a hard surface runway instead of on a grassy field because there is less probability of catching a skid, which can lead to dynamic rollover. In addition, check the condition of the skid shoes before and after practicing running takeoffs and landings.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper collective application at touchdown during a practice run-on landing, which resulted in the main rotor system impacting the tailboom and the forward portion of the fuselage impacting terrain during remedial action by the flight instructor. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor reported that he asked the pilot receiving instruction to demonstrate a run-on landing on the sod between the runway and taxiway. He reported that as the helicopter touched down at about 25 miles per hour (21.72 knots), the pilot lowered the collective to the full down position while the helicopter was still moving forward with considerable momentum. The helicopter began to "lurch forward" and the nose of the helicopter started to lower. The flight instructor then came on the flight controls, but the helicopter had progressed to an "extreme nose low attitude," and he applied aft cyclic to prevent the main rotor blades from impacting terrain. The main rotor blades instead impacted and separated the tailboom. The fuselage continued moving forward and the nose impacted terrain and then settled back on the skids. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor system, tailboom, and tail rotor system. The flight instructor verified that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported that he recommended landing on sod due to potential wear on the bottom of the skids from friction with the paved runway. He also reported that the pilot had successfully performed run-on landings in the past on the sod area. As a safety recommendation, the flight instructor reported that landing the helicopter on the runway instead of the sod may have lessened the effects of improper application of the collective at touchdown. He reported that he should have verbally reviewed the importance of using the collective to control the friction with the landing surface while in the traffic pattern to ensure the pilot's intentions were mutually understood. He further reported that he should have maintained a guarded position on the flight controls regardless of the pilot's abilities to decrease the flight instructor's reaction time for maneuver recovery. Enstrom Helicopter Corporation has published the Enstrom 280F Training Maneuvers Manual (2014). This manual discusses objectives and descriptions for a shallow approach and run-on landing, and states in part: Caution, Enstrom does not endorse practicing run-on landings. Run-on landings should only be accomplished on a smooth, hard surface; and should always be planned to the center of the runway to preclude sliding off the runway, and overturning. After ground contact, maintain heading with pedals and maintain collective position. Ensure that power is maintained until the helicopter comes to a complete stop to insure directional control. The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Helicopter Instructor's Handbook FAA-H-8083-4 (2012). This handbook provides instructional information for a shallow approach and run-on landing and states in part: In any case, do not rapidly lower the collective after touchdown. Smooth reduction of collective prevents a rapid stop that could result in damage to the aircraft or injury to the crew. For helicopters equipped with skids, it may be better to practice running landings on a hard surface runway instead of on a grassy field because there is less probability of catching a skid, which can lead to dynamic rollover. In addition, check the condition of the skid shoes before and after practicing running takeoffs and landings.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 EDT
Nearest AirportWilliamson-Sodus (0nm WNW)
Runway10
Runway Length3801 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEnstrom F280 F
Tail NumberN5698Y
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorB a C Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-F1AD · Reciprocating · 225
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 56 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 25 C
Altimeter30.34 inHg
Observation Time13:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data