# Accident 20020429011139A: Enstrm 280FX, Alsatia, LA, April 29, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 29, 2002, 18:30 local time
- Place: Alsatia, LA
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.9839° N, 91.2058° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9839&lon=-91.2058&mi=10
- Aircraft: N383MA, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N383MA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Enstrom 280FX (registry code 3300506, https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-280fx) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming HI0-360 series (registry code 41553, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hi0-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTRM 280FX
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW02LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA138) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020429011139A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON APRIL 29, 2002, 1830 CDT, AN ENSTROM F28 HELICOPTER, N383MA OWNED AND OPERATED BY TURNER C. BROWN, COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE NO. 436647334, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE AIRCRAFT HAD LANDED IN A CORN FIELD AND THE PILOT EXITED THE AIRCRAFT TO RELIEVE HIMSELF. FROM A STATEMENT TAKEN FROM THE PILOT, HE STATED HE WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE AIRCRAFT, WHEN A STRONG GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES TO STRIKE THE TAILBOOM SEVERING IT FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AT IDLE RPM AND THE ROTOR SYSTEM ENGAGED, THE PILOT SUBSEQUENTLY DISENGAGED THE ROTOR SYSTEM AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS ON FILE, NEITHER THE PILOT NOR HIS PASSENGER WERE INJURED.

## 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 FTW02LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA138), Apr 29, 2002: Enstrom 280FX (N383MA), Alsatia, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The main rotor contact to the tail boom resulting from the pilot leaving the helicopter unattended while the rotors were engaged.

## Other reports on N383MA (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20030302003459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030302003459A), Mar 2, 2003: Enstrm 280FX (N383MA), Ruston, LA, Minor damage. (-23) The pilot hovered to taxiway, landed and began to go through the aircraft checklist prior to take-off. He then heard a loud noise and felt the helicopter…

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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