# Accident 20010125006619A: Camair 480, Dryden, MI, January 25, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 25, 2001, 18:12 local time
- Place: Dryden, MI
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.9392° N, 83.1196° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9392&lon=-83.1196&mi=10
- Aircraft: N704G, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N704G-2016-12-16) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Enstrom Helicopter 480 (registry code 3300560, https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-helicopter-480) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CAMAIR 480
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI01LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA075) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010125006619A

## Narrative

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

(-19) ON JANUARY 25, 2001, AT 1812 EST, AN ENSTROM 480 HELICOPTER, N704G, PILOTED BY A PRIVATE PILOT, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED ON IMPACT WITH A FROZEN LAKE NEAR DRYDEN, MI. THE A/C WAS ON THE DOWNWIND LEG OF AN APPROACH TO LAND AT THE PILOT'S PRIVATE HELIPORT. THE 14 CFR PART 91 FLIGHT WAS NOT ON A FLIGHT PLAN. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED, AND THE TWO PASSENGERS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE DEPARTURE POINT AND TIME HAVE NOT BEEN DETERMINED.   (.23) PILOT WAS DESCENDING S. DOWNWIND TO TURN LEFT BASE WHEN THE HELICOPTER LOST ALTITUDE SUDDENLY AND CRASHED ONTO FROZEN LAKE SURFACE, SKIDDING MORE THAN 300 YDS AND SPINNING AROUND AND CAME TO REST FACING NORTH. NO MECHANICAL OR ENGINE FAILURES WERE FOUND DURING INVESTIGATION.

## 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 CHI01LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA075), Jan 25, 2001: Enstrom 480 (N704G), Dryden, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilots failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the terrain. The dark night was a factor.

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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