Enstrom F-28C accident near Kankakee, Illinois, August 2, 2003
On August 2, 2003 at about 10:55 pm local time, a Enstrom F-28C (helicopter), registered N15SA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Kankakee, Illinois (Greater Kankakee airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot misjudged flare which led to a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow procedures/directives when he exceeded the airplane's weight and balance.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 2003 · about 10:55 pm local time
- Place
- Kankakee, Illinois · Greater Kankakee · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Enstrom F-28C · all F-28Cs on the register
- Registration
- N15SA · registry record · serial 469
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The sightseeing aerial observation helicopter sustained substantial damage when the main rotor impacted the tail rotor drive shaft during a landing in a county fairground parking lot. The tail rotor drive shaft separated from the helicopter. The tail rotor drive shaft impacted the rear window of a vehicle parked in the parking lot. Three passengers reported minor injuries and the pilot reported that he was uninjured. The pilot stated, "I made a stabilized steep approach to the landing area. Once I detected the helicopter skids come in contact with the surface I lowered the collective at that moment the helicopter dropped and lunged forward. The landing site was a nearly level area with 2-3 inch tall grass." Wind was 170 degrees at 7 knots. An on-scene examination of the helicopter detected no pre-impact anomalies. The helicopter's flight manual stated, "The cabin interior is a full, three-place, side by side seating arrangement." The helicopter's center of gravity range was 92.0 to 100 inches. The operator's calculated center of gravity was 91.74 inches.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,771 hours in all; 125 in this make and model; 82 in the last 90 days; 51 in the last 30 days; 1,771 as pilot in command; 50 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 2, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,915.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 5, 2003; 90.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO360E1AD (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Spitfire Aerospace Technologies Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: Kankakee IL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 11:03 pm from IKK, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CHI03LA240.