Enstrom F28A accident near Hanford, California, June 14, 1992
On June 14, 1992 at about 8:18 pm local time, a Enstrom F28A (helicopter), registered N159Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hanford, California. It was an other work-use 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 FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM DURING THE TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT AND UNFAVORABLE WINDS THAT EXISTED AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 14, 1992 · about 8:18 pm local time
- Place
- Hanford, California
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Enstrom F28A · all F28As on the register
- Registration
- N159Q · no longer on the register · serial 265
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
AFTER ENPLANING THREE PEOPLE, WHOSE TOTAL WEIGHT WAS ESTIMATED AT 300 POUNDS, THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM A FAIR GROUND WITH A 9 TO 14 KNOT RIGHT QUARTERING TAIL WIND BLOWING. THE ENGINE AND MAIN ROTOR RPM DECREASED AS THE AIRCRAFT REACHED APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LANDING IN A PARKING LOT THAT WAS DIRECTLY AHEAD OF HIS POSITION. THE HELICOPTER TURNED RIGHT WHEN THE SKIDS TOUCHED THE GROUND AND ROLLED FORWARD ON ITS NOSE.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 945 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 22 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,713 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 29, 1992; 33 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360-C1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 9 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:55 pm from NLC, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.