# Accident 20140121002099A: Enstrom Helicopter Corp 280C, Show Low, AZ, January 21, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 21, 2014, 16:35 local time
- Place: Show Low, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Rotation
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.2644° N, 110.0078° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2644&lon=-110.0078&mi=10
- Aircraft: N51683, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51683-2014-09-05) (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: ENSTROM HELICOPTER CORP 280C
- Reported engine: LYCOMING HI0-360 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 1,171 total, 2 in this make and model, 72 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR14CA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA101) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140121002099A

## Narrative

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

PILOT WAS FLYING WITH ONE PASSENGER TO GLENDALE AIRPORT, AZ FROM DOUBLE EAGLE AIRPORT, NM WHEN HE MADE A FUEL STOP AT SHOW LOW AIRPORT, AZ. AFTER TOPPING OFF THE AIRCRAFT WITH 32.7 GALLONS OF FUEL, THE PILOT PROCEEDED ON TO GLENDALE AIRPORT.

AFTER LIFTING OFF, THE PILOT TURNED THE AIRCRAFT APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT (NORTH-WESTBOUND) AND ACCELERATED. THE PILOT THEN NOTED THAT THE ENGINE AND ROTOR RPM BEGAN TO GO DOWN IN WHICH HE ROLLED ON THE THROTTLE AND CONTINUED FORWARD FLIGHT.

THE PILOT THEN NOTED THAT THE ENGINE AND ROTOR RPM CONTINUED TO GO DOWN IN WHICH HE ROLLED ON MORE THROTTLE BUT BEGAN TO DESCEND FROM APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHICH LED TO THE AIRCRAFT SETTLING UNTIL IT IMPACTED THE GROUND. NOTE; THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLOWN FROM A LEVEL HARD SURFACE TO OVER A GRASSY DEPRESSION AS EVENT OCCURRED.

AN INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND RECORDS REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES WITH THE FLIGHT OR ENGINE CONTROLS. THE INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE WAS LIMITED TO A VISUAL INSPECTION WHILE INSTALLED IN THE AIRCRAFT BUT NO DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED.

RECORDS FOR THE FUEL BOUGHT AT THE SHOW LOW AIRPORT SHOWED NO DISCREPANCIES.

FIELD ELEVATION IS 6415 FT. AND THE TEMPERATURE AT TIME OF DEPARTURE WAS 52 DEGREES F. PILOT REPORTED HIS WEIGHT AS 200 LBS. AND HIS PASSENGER AS 230 LBS. BAGGAGE ON BOARD WAS APPROXIMATELY 10 LBS. ESTIMATED GROSS WEIGHT WAS 2328 LBS WHICH IS BORDERLINE WITHIN THE OPERATING LIMITATIONS IN THE FLIGHT MANUAL. FLIGHT MANUAL DOES CONTAIN A NOTE THAT STATES; ?TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS AT 2350 LBS. GROSS WEIGHT WERE DEMONSTRATED DURING FAA TYPE INSPECTION TESTES UP TO 7,000 FT. DENSITY ALTITUDE. OPERATORS SHOULD USE APPROPRIATE CAUTION ABOVE 7,000 FT. DENSITY ALTITUDE AND LIMIT GROSS WEIGHT AS REQUIRED TO INSURE SAFE TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS.? CALCULATED DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7400 FT. AT TIME OF ACCIDENT.

## 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 WPR14CA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA101), Jan 21, 2014: Enstrom Helicopter 280C (N51683), Showlow, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor RPM during the takeoff run in a high density altitude environment, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with terrain.

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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