Summary
On August 27, 1993, a Enstrom F28A (N269Q) was involved in an incident near Meriden, CT. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
On Friday, August 27, 1993, at about 1620 eastern daylight time, an Enstrom F28A, helicopter, N269Q, piloted by Mr. Mark Lavoie, collided with the terrain during a practice autorotation at the Meriden Airport, Meriden, Connecticut. The helicopter was substantially damaged, and the pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91.
Maintenance had recently been performed on the helicopter, and the pilot took off for a test flight. The pilot elected to perform a practice autorotation. During this maneuver the engine lost complete power.
This incident is documented in NTSB report NYC93LA175. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N269Q.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On Friday, August 27, 1993, at about 1620 eastern daylight time, an Enstrom F28A, helicopter, N269Q, piloted by Mr. Mark Lavoie, collided with the terrain during a practice autorotation at the Meriden Airport, Meriden, Connecticut. The helicopter was substantially damaged, and the pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91.
Maintenance had recently been performed on the helicopter, and the pilot took off for a test flight. The pilot elected to perform a practice autorotation. During this maneuver the engine lost complete power. The helicopter impacted the ground; became airborne; turned 90 degrees; and the main rotor blades struck the tail boom.
According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2:
...entered autorotation at approximately 1,000 feet MSL...all indications and aircraft operation normal...rotor RPM O.K...engine RPM "0". Engine failure verified...ground contact on aft portion of skids...loud "whack" and violent torque twist...
FAA Inspector, Edwin Odell, examined the wreckage after the accident and said that fuel and oil were present. Mr. Odell said, "...no outward sign of mechanical malfunction was noted." All three fuel sumps were drained and according to Mr. Odell, "...a small amount of water was noted at the right fuel tank drain." No water was found at the left fuel tank or sump. The main rotor transmission clutch was disengaged, the engine was test run and no discrepancies were observed.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC93LA175