N66JV

On March 20, 1998, at 1500 eastern standard time, an Enstrom F280F, N66JV, was substantially damaged during an autorotational landing into a lake near Westmoreland County Airport (LBE), Latrobe, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from LBE, approximately 1435. No flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration inspector the pilot stated he was hovering into the wind at 20 feet above ground level.

In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 dated March 20, 1998, the pilot stated "...the helicopter started to rotate right with torque." He continued by saying, "I applied left pedal and this action had little or no effect." After the helicopter had "slowly" made one complete turn the pilot stated he entered an autorotation which arrested the right yaw. The helicopter landed in a small lake then rolled onto its left side.

In a written statement dated April 9, 1998, from the maintenance facility contracted to repair the helicopter, the director of maintenance stated, when they removed the tailrotor gearbox and associated assemblies during the examination, bloodstains, bird feathers and a strong odor were found close to the damaged section of the stinger.