Pilot Debrief

ENSTROM F-28C near Bloomsburg, PA — 2013-09-27

Final reportERA13LA433
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Date
2013-09-27
Location
Bloomsburg, PA, USA
Aircraft
ENSTROM F-28C
Registration
N631DP
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Ground

Probable cause

The relieved pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the rotating main rotor blades after he exited the helicopter.

NTSB narrative

The pilot/owner had just taken control of the helicopter from another pilot. As the relieved pilot was walking away from the helicopter and between the 10- and 11-o'clock position forward of the helicopter, he came into contact with a rotating main rotor blade. The pilot/owner stated that, when exiting the helicopter, it was the company's practice to disengage the rotor drive system and secure the collective control. In this condition, the rotor blades droop below the normal height, and the drooping is most pronounced in the 9- to 12-o'clock position of the rotor disk. According to the helicopter manufacturer representative, the main rotor height can vary depending on how the helicopter landing gear was serviced. In addition, depending on the position of the cyclic, the main rotor can descend lower than 6 feet when the main rotor is operating. It is likely that the pilot/owner unintentionally moved the cyclic, which resulted in the rotor blade descending, and, in combination with the rotor droop, the main rotor blade would have been low enough to strike the relieved pilot's head.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Relieved pilot should have ensured safe distance from rotor blades before exiting.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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