Enstrom F-28A accident near Smyrna, Tennessee, November 22, 2004
On November 22, 2004, a Enstrom F-28A (helicopter), registered N9235, was substantially damaged in an accident near Smyrna, Tennessee (Smyrna Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's improper flare during forced landing, which resulted in an inflight collision into an open field.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 22, 2004
- Place
- Smyrna, Tennessee · Smyrna Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Enstrom F-28A · all F-28As on the register
- Registration
- N9235 · no longer on the register · serial 214
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated he reduced the collective from 23 inches of manifold pressure to 21 inches of manifold pressure to initiate a descent for landing, and it "felt like the engine was shuddering." He stated he increased the manifold pressure to 23 inches, and the engine "seemed to smooth out." He stated he entered a left base, then turned final and reduced the manifold pressure. On final approach, the pilot slowed the helicopter to approximately 10 miles per hour, and when he added more collective, he saw the "rpm drop to the bottom of the green." He stated he "dropped collective and added throttle." He stated the helicopter would not maintain altitude, and he attempted a run-on landing in the grass; the left skid contacted the ground and collapsed, and the helicopter rolled over onto its left side. Examination revealed the forward and aft left skid struts were bent inboard approximately 135 degrees. Two main rotor blades were bent downward and were delaminated near the root and on the trailing edge of the blades. The third main rotor blade was bent upward near the tip, and trailing edge and upper skin deformation was observed. Continuity for the tail rotor, cyclic, collective, over-running clutch, throttle, and mixture controls was established. Examination of the drive belt revealed a shaved area in the vicinity of the clutch assembly, and the over-running clutch operated. The fan shroud displayed circumferential scoring. An engine start was attempted by utilizing the cockpit engine controls. The engine started, then idled smoothly. Higher rpm settings were not attempted.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 467 hours in all; 34 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 398 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360-C1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KM52 Lexington TN
- Destination: KMQY Smyrna TN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.