# Accident 19981005028319A: Enstrm 280F, Bow, NH, October 5, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 5, 1998, 14:15 local time
- Place: Bow, NH
- Damage: Destroyed
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 43.1308° N, 71.5307° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Town of Bow, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1308&lon=-71.5307&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8618N, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8618N-2000-04-05) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Enstrom F280 (registry code 3300510, https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f280) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTRM 280F
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC99LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA004) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981005028319A

## Narrative

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

PILOT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS WHEN IT STRUCK A 300 FOOT TOWER AND CRASHED. (-23) ON MONDAY OCTOBER 5, 1998, ABOUT 1415 EST, A ENSTROM HELICOPTER MODEL #280F, N8619N, REGISTERED TO BOW AIRCRAFT SERVICES, LLC., COLLIDED WITH THE TOP OF A 330 FT. WEATHER TOWER WHILE ON APPROACH TO A PRIVATE HELICOPTER LANDING AREA IN BOW, NEW HAMPSHIRE.  THE PILOT. MR. ROBERT S. AUDLEY, STATED IN AN INTERVIEW THAT HE WAS PRACTICING LANDINGS AT HIS HELIPORT FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 HOURS.  WHEN HE APPROACHED THE LANDING AREA TO THE NORTH WEST, THE HELICOPTER WAS CRABBING BECAUSE OF THE WIND, AND A STRONG GUST OF WIND PUSHED HIM SOUTH EAST, WHERE THE RIGHT (BLIND) SIDE OF THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE TOWER.  THE TOWER WAS INITIALLY STRUCK BY THE TAIL BOOM APPROXIMATELY THREE FEET FORWARD OF THE TAIL ROTOR, IMPALING THE TAIL SECTION INTO THE TOP OF THE TOWER AND TEARING THE TAIL BOOM AS AN ASSEMBLY, FROM THE MAIN BODY OF THE HELICOPTER.  THE HELICOPTER SPIRALED TO THE GROUND COMING TO REST ON THE LEFT CANOPY/SKID, APPROXIMATELY 600 FEET SOUTH EAST OF THE TOWER.  THE PILOT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND EVACUATED THE AREA.  AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES                                                               A POST CRASH FIRE STARTED AND TOTALLY DESTROYED THE HELICOPTER. THE PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.  THE WINDS REPORTED AT CONCORD, NH., ABOUT 4 MILES NORTH OF THE CRASH SITE, WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 350 DEGREES AT 13 KNOTS, WITH GUSTS TO 20 KNOTS.  THE PILOT CERTIFICATE RATINGS INCLUDED ROTORCRAFT-HELICOPTER/PRIVATE PILOT.  THE DATE OF MR. AUDLEY'S LAST MEDICAL WAS NOVEMBER 03, 1989.

## 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 NYC99LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA004), Oct 5, 1998: Enstrom F280 (N8618N), Bow, NH, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and his failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tower. A factor in this accident was the gusty wind…

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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