# Accident 20150126000539A: Enstrom 280FX, Erie, CO, January 26, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 26, 2015, 12:00 local time
- Place: Erie, CO
- Airport: Erie Municipal
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.0156° N, 105.0494° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0156&lon=-105.0494&mi=10
- Aircraft: N86235, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86235-2018-06-01) (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: ENSTROM 280FX
- Reported engine: LYCOMING HI0-360 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Other injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN15FA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA126) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150126000539A

## Narrative

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

ON JANUARY 26, 2015, AT ERIE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (EIK), N86235, AN ENSTROM 280FX HELICOPTER CRASHED DURING LANDING. TWO PEOPLE WERE ON BOARD, A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND A STUDENT PILOT, BOTH SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES FROM THE CRASH.  ON APPROACH TO RUNWAY 15, ONE OF THE MAIN ROTOR (M/R) GRIPS AND ADJOINING BLADE DEPARTED THE AIRCRAFT.  THE CORRESPONDING OUT OF BALANCE EFFECT OF THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM CAUSED ONE OF THE REMAINING TWO BLADES TO STRIKE THE TAIL ROTOR BLADE AND GEARBOX ASSEMBLY CAUSING THEIR DEPARTURE. CONTINUED VIBRATION CAUSED THE TWO REMAINING M/R BLADES, M/R HUB, MAST AND TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY TO BREAK FREE OF THE AIRCRAFT, IMPACTING THE GROUND 9 YDS, EAST OF THE RUNWAY.  THE REMAINING FUSELAGE CONTINUED 90 YDS BEYOND THE BLADES, M/R HUB, MAST AND TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY, IMPACTING THE GROUND JUST OFF OF THE EAST SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

THERE WAS A POST-CRASH FIRE RESULTING FROM THE IMPACT.

## 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 CEN15FA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA126), Jan 26, 2015: Enstrom 280FX (N86235), Erie, CO, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: An in-flight failure of the helicopter's #2 main rotor spindle due to undetected fatigue cracking, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to failure were the nonconforming thread root…

## Other reports on N86235 (1)

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

- [Incident 20030417004439I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030417004439I), Apr 17, 2003: Enstrm 280FX (N86235), Corona, CA, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot experienced a change in rudder pedal control forces and operation and elected to divert to nearest airport. At about 15 above the runway the…

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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