Enstrom F28C accident near Gordon, KY
On June 17, 1993, an Enstrom F28C (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Gordon, KY. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 17, 1993
- Place
- Gordon, KY
- Aircraft
- Enstrom F28C · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.990°N, 83.111°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X12679
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On Thursday, June 17, 1993, at 0935 eastern daylight time, an Enstrom F28C, N200NH, piloted by Mr. Vernard O. Whitaker, of Whitesburg, Kentucky, struck a static wire, in Gordon, Kentucky. The main rotor and tail boom separated from the helicopter and it was destroyed by the ground impact and post crash fire. The pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the business flight operating under 14 CFR 91. The pilot was flying between a private heliport in Whitesburg, Kentucky, and a private heliport in Harlan, Kentucky. A witness, Mr. Hughie King, observed the helicopter from Creech Lookout, in Kingdom Come State Park, approximately 1.3 miles east of, and 1,000 feet above the accident site. Mr. King said he worked for the park. He was at Creech Lookout picking up litter when he heard the helicopter. He watched the helicopter enter the valley and it appeared to be about 200 feet above the trees on the side of the road. As it passed over a dirt road, it looked like it descended a little and was about 150 to 200 feet above the trees and going faster. The helicopter was down in the valley, the whole time he saw it. It flew toward the power lines, and then the helicopter lurched, papers flew out of the helicopter and the rotor blades rolled left and flew off. He said he thought the helicopter then caught on fire. When it hit the ground there was a big explosion. He said there was no change in engine or rotor noise prior to the accident, and the did not turn or do anything else prior to hitting the wire
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE WIRE.
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Browse: Kentucky · Enstrom aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
