No fatalities

ENSTROM F28 C accident at Toughkenamon, PA, 8 Sept 2021

Toughkenamon, PA, United States

On September 8, 2021, an ENSTROM F28 C was involved in an aviation accident near Toughkenamon, PA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during an out-of-ground effect hover in a gusty wind, due to loss of tail rotor effectiveness. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during an out-of-ground effect hover in a gusty wind, due to loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

PilotCapability exceeded

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Sept 2021 ENSTROM F28 C accident near Toughkenamon, PA?

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during an out-of-ground effect hover in a gusty wind, due to loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

Were there any fatalities in the 8 Sept 2021 ENSTROM F28 C accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Sept 2021 involved an ENSTROM F28 C, at Toughkenamon, PA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during an out-of-ground effect hover in a gusty wind, due to loss of tail rotor effectiveness.