# Accident 19960615022739A: Enstrm 280C, Lambertville, MI, June 15, 1996

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 15, 1996, 16:28 local time
- Place: Lambertville, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Pwr Off Vert Land/Autorotate
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.7406° N, 83.6198° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7406&lon=-83.6198&mi=10
- Aircraft: N557H, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N557H-1997-05-02) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Enstrom Helicopter 280C (registry code 3300505, https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-helicopter-280c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTRM 280C
- Reported engine: LYC HIO360*
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,520 total, 800 in this make and model, 115 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI96LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA205) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960615022739A

## Narrative

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

(.4)THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER SETTING CRUISE POWER A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED AND AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING WAS MADE. DURING THE LANDING THE HELICOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR BLADES IMPACTED WITH THE TAIL BOOM.  INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE GROUND WIRE FOR THE FUEL GAUGE WAS LOOSE.  THE HELICOPTER'S TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE HELICOPTER LESS THAN TEN HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, AND THE FUEL GAUGE WIRES WERE DISCONNECTED DURING THE TRANSMISSION REMOVAL.  THE HELICOPTER WAS EQUIPPED WITH A WOODEN DIPSTICK WHICH CAN BE USED TO VERIFY THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK.          (-23) ON CLIMB OUT, STARTED TURN, HEARD POP, BANG AND ENGINE LOST POWER. PILOT INITITATED AUTOROTATION INTO FIELD. UPON TOUCH DOWN MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED TAIL ROTOR BLADE BREAKING TAIL ROTOR AND GEAR BOX OFF OF TAILBOOM. ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION, ERRONEOUS FUEL QTY READING DUE TO LOOSE GROUND WIRES FOR FUEL QTY TRANSMITTER (NUT LOOSE AT GROUND WIRE ATTACH POINT-NOT TIGHTENED AFTER MAINTENANCE).

## 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 CHI96LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA205), Jun 15, 1996: Enstrom 280C (N557H), Lambertville, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: a total loss of engine power as a result of fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight, and the pilot's misjudged distance/altitude during the subsequent autorotation. A factor was…

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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