On May 9, 1989, an Enstrom F-28C (registration N88RA) operated by Fair, Fred was involved in an aviation accident near Regina, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND DISREGARD OF THE HELICOPTERS PERFORMANCE DATA. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS WHICH EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a test flight after tail rotor repairs, the pilot struck the tail rotor on the ground while transitioning to hover, causing the drive shaft to fail and the helicopter to crash.
Accident Details
A test flight was being conducted following repairs to the tail rotor of an Enstrom F-28C helicopter. The repairs were necessitated by an earlier accident. While transitioning from forward flight to a hover, the pilot struck the tail rotor on the ground. The ground contact caused the tail rotor drive shaft to fail, resulting in a crash. The helicopter sustained substantial damage.
Environmental Conditions
The density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 10,400 feet. The Enstrom F-28C operator's handbook notes that the ground effect hover ceiling is 8,800 feet.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 9 May 1989 Enstrom F-28C accident near Regina, NM?
During a test flight after tail rotor repairs, the pilot struck the tail rotor on the ground while transitioning to hover, causing the drive shaft to fail and the helicopter to crash.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 9 May 1989 involved an Enstrom F-28C, registration N88RA, operated by Fair, Fred, at Regina, NM.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND DISREGARD OF THE HELICOPTERS PERFORMANCE DATA. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS WHICH EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…