N5693W

On March 18, 1995, at 1630 hours Pacific standard time, an Enstrom F28C-2, N5693W, collided with mountainous terrain in the San Jacinto Wilderness Area, San Gorgonio, California. The certificated commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. The helicopter was destroyed by impact with trees and the ground. The helicopter was being operated as a sightseeing flight under 14 CFR Part 91. The local flight originated from an off-airport landing area in Cabazon, California, at 1600 hours on the day of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot indicated he was flying upslope above a waterfall when he encountered a downdraft and the helicopter began to settle. While attempting to fly out of the downdraft, the pilot determined the helicopter was still descending. The pilot flared the helicopter, struck trees with the main rotor blades, and sloping terrain with the left skid of the landing gear. The helicopter then rolled to the right downslope until the right skid hit the ground. The right skid collapsed and the helicopter came to rest upright on the left skid and right side of the fuselage belly.

The pilot indicated in the pilot accident report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter before the accident.