# Accident 20060715022609A: Enstrm 280C, Danville, WV, July 15, 2006

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 15, 2006, 09:30 local time
- Place: Danville, WV
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.0833° N, 80.8389° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0833&lon=-80.8389&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5691B, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5691B-2017-06-30) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Enstrom Helicopter 280C (registry code 3300505, https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-helicopter-280c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming HI0-360 series (registry code 41553, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hi0-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTRM 280C
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,030 total, 26 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC06LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06LA175) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060715022609A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ACCORDING TO HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT SAID WHILE ON A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT HE HEARD A "LOUD SNAP" AND EXPERIENCED A 5 TO 10 DEGREE RIGHT YAW, APPROXIMATELY 7 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 8 SECONDS LATER, HE HEARD A SECOND SNAPPING SOUND, AND AGAIN EXPERIENCED A 5 TO 10 DEGREE RIGHT YAW. THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND ELECTED TO PERFORM A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT A STRIP MINE. DURING THE APPROACH, HE EXPERIENCED A THIRD SNAP SOUND AND YAW MOVEMENT. THE HELICOPTER WAS AT AN AIRSPEED BELOW 20 KNOTS, AND ABOUT 8 TO 10 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, WHEN THE PILOT HEARD A BANG, AND FELT GROUND CONTACT. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED TO THE LEFT, AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE AFT PORTION OF THE TAIL BOOM, SEVERING IT JUST FORWARD OF THE TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX. THE LEFT SKID COLLAPSED AND THE AIRFRAME RECEIVED ADDITIONAL SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT HOLDS A COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE FOR SINGLE AND MULTI-ENGINE LAND AIRPLANES, AND A STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE FOR HELICOPTERS. HE REPORTED 1,060 HOURS OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, WHICH INCLUDES ABOUT 30 HOURS IN HELICOPTERS.

## 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 NYC06LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06LA175), Jul 15, 2006: Enstrom 280C (N5691B), Danville, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial failure of the override clutch assembly. A contributing factor to the accident was the manufacturer's inadequate inspection procedures of the override clutch assembly following a tail rotor…

## Other reports on N5691B (1)

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

- [Accident 20050812024459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050812024459A), Aug 12, 2005: Enstrm 280C (N5691B), Saulsville, WV, Minor damage. (-23) Upon landing at a heli-pad at southern west Virginia community college, Saulsville, WV the aircraft began a slow yaw to the right at approximately 40…

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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