Pilot Debrief

ENSTROM F28 near Kalispell, MT — 2012-02-20

Final reportWPR12LA111
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Date
2012-02-20
Location
Kalispell, MT, USA
Airport
S27
Aircraft
ENSTROM F28
Registration
N51727
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that the helicopter experienced a loss of engine power after the student initiated a practice autorotation about 650 feet above ground level. The flight instructor then assumed control of the helicopter for an emergency landing. However, the helicopter touched down short of the runway, became airborne again, rotated 180 degrees to the left, and landed on the taxiway with the main rotor spinning down. During the postaccident examination, the engine started and ran with no evidence of preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The cause of the reported loss of engine power could not be duplicated.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have aborted the autorotation earlier upon recognizing engine failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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