# Accident 19900422011739A: Enstrm 280, Thornton, PA, April 22, 1990

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 22, 1990, 11:30 local time
- Place: Thornton, PA
- Airport: Private
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Vertical (Helicopter Only)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.8903° N, 75.5292° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8903&lon=-75.5292&mi=10
- Aircraft: N493H, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N493H-2012-12-18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Enstrom 280 (registry code 3300502, https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-280) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0-360 series (registry code 41558, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTRM 280
- Reported engine: LYC HIO360C1A
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 8,500 total, 5,400 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC90LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA090) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900422011739A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

DEPARTING A CONFINED PRIVATE HELIPAD,STRUCK TREES. GUSTY  WIND AND NEAR GROSS WEIGHT CONTRIBUTED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC90LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA090), Apr 22, 1990: Enstrom 280 (N493H), Thornton, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER CLIMB RATE AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A CONFINED AREA. FACTORS INCLUDE GUSTY WINDS AND HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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