Enstrom F28 accident near Bridgeville, Delaware, October 7, 2018
On October 7, 2018 at about 5:40 pm local time, a 1979 Enstrom F28 (helicopter), registered N5691Y, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Bridgeville, Delaware. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's mismanagement of collective pitch control during takeoff from an area with numerous obstacles, which resulted in the helicopter entering a low rotor rpm state and a forced hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 7, 2018 · about 5:40 pm local time
- Place
- Bridgeville, Delaware · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Enstrom F28 C, built 1979 · all F28s on the register
- Registration
- N5691Y · no longer on the register · serial 479-2
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot had performed numerous local sightseeing helicopter flights the day of the accident. During the accident flight lift off from the field with power lines and farm equipment nearby, the pilot increased the throttle to the maximum engine and rotor rpm and began a climbing left turn toward power lines, during which he noticed the rotor rpm slowing. He slightly decreased collective pitch and further increased the throttle, but the rotor rpm did not increase. The pilot then increased collective pitch even farther as the helicopter cleared the power lines, which exacerbated the low rotor rpm state and was contrary to guidance published in the helicopter's pilot's operating handbook. The pilot's power management allowed the rotor rpm to decay below a point at which sustained flight was possible. Subsequently, the helicopter descended and impacted an open field hard, which resulted in substantial damage to the tailboom and tail rotor. The pilot did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter, which was confirmed by a postaccident examination and test run of the helicopter's engine. The pilot's mismanagement of collective pitch control led to the helicopter entering a low rotor rpm state and its subsequent inability to maintain flight.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Autorotation Hard landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,864 hours in all; 74 in this make and model; 44 in the last 90 days; 27 in the last 30 days; 939 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 14, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,462.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 14, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360-E1AD (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: J&J Shop Heliair LLC.
The flight
- Departed from: Bridgeville DE at 5:37 pm
- Destination: Bridgeville DE
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,400 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 5:32 pm from KDOV, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on May 20, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Engine Examination and Test Run Summary - FAA | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Operator's Passenger Policy | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | POH Enstrom F28C | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N5691Y the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.