Enstrom F28C N56895 accident near Mosby, Missouri

Probable cause

A loss of engine power for reasons undetermined, and the pilot's decision to discontinue the autorotation when he thought engine power had been restored. Contributing to the accident were the low altitude and excessive airspeed.

NTSB analysis

The pilot had been practicing maneuvers in preparation to taking his commercial helicopter practical test. At the completion of these maneuvers, he planned on making a normal approach, terminating in a hover. While on base leg and descending through 1,300 feet, the pilot started slowing to 70 knots. He lowered the collective control and reduced power momentarily. When he opened the throttle again, there was no response from the engine. He initiated an autorotation. Shortly thereafter, he heard the engine running and the engine instruments were reading normal. He decided to attempt a landing on the nearby runway. When he increased the collective and applied forward cyclic, the engine lost power again. The helicopter was low and the pilot attempted to slow down by using aft cyclic control. The helicopter then impacted muddy terrain.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DEN08LA081 for the full record.