On June 8, 2000, an Enstrom F-28C (registration N80193) was involved in an aviation accident near Kennewick, WA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot maneuvered the helicopter into a downwind position and approached its hovering capability, and lacked experience in operating at the critical hovering altitude necessary for the operation. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter hovering over a cherry orchard lost power and landed between tree rows, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot attributed the event to maneuvering into a downwind position and approaching the helicopter's hovering capability.
Incident Details
A helicopter was conducting a cherry drying operation, hovering over a cherry orchard to use its rotor wash to dry the cherries. According to the aircraft occupants, while the helicopter was hovering 5 to 7 feet above the treetops, it began to lose power. The pilot attempted to land in an open field east of the orchard but was unable to reach it. The helicopter subsequently touched down between rows of cherry trees. The helicopter sustained substantial damage.
Pilot's Assessment
An FAA inspector reported that the pilot later concluded he had maneuvered the helicopter into a downwind position and had approached the hovering capability of the helicopter. The inspector further stated that the pilot demonstrated a lack of experience in operating the helicopter at the critical hovering altitude necessary for the type of operation he was attempting.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate issued 3 1/2 months before the accident. According to the FAA, the pilot had accumulated 400 total flight hours.
Probable cause
The pilot maneuvered the helicopter into a downwind position and approached its hovering capability, and lacked experience in operating at the critical hovering altitude necessary for the operation.
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…