# Accident 20030302003459A: Enstrm 280FX, Ruston, LA, March 2, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 2, 2003, 12:00 local time
- Place: Ruston, LA
- Airport: Ruston Municipal Airport
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Aerial Taxi, Other Helicopter
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.5144° N, 92.5883° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5144&lon=-92.5883&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
- Reported engine: LYC HIO360E1AD
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 180 total, 40 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW03LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA102) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030302003459A

## Narrative

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

(-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 SHAKE. MR. VANDENBERG THEN DISENGAGED THE TRANSMISSION AND SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. HE THEN LOOKED BACK AT THE REAR OF THE HELICOPTER AND NOTICED THAT THE TAIL BOOM WAS DROOPING. AFTER WALKING BACK TO INVESTIGATE, HE NOTICED THAT THE UPPER TAIL BOOM ATTACHMENT BOLT WAS BROKEN.

## 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 FTW03LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA102), Mar 2, 2003: Enstrom 280FX (N383MA), Ruston, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The separation of the upper tail cone as a result of a fractured bolt due to fatigue.

## Other reports on N383MA (1)

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

- [Accident 20020429011139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020429011139A), Apr 29, 2002: Enstrm 280FX (N383MA), Alsatia, LA, No damage. (-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…

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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