# Accident 20241009013799A: Enstrom Helicopter Corp 280C, Vale, OR, October 9, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 9, 2024, 16:00 local time
- Place: Vale, OR
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: H90G
- Location: 44.2067° N, 117.4825° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2067&lon=-117.4825&mi=10
- Aircraft: N646H, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N646H) (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: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR25LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA010) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241009013799A

## Narrative

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

PILOT REFUELING ON TOP OF FUEL TRUCK

HAD A QUARTERING TAILWIND, NOT ENOUGH POWER FOR TAKEOFF

PILOT DROOPED THE ROTOR, HAD A HARD LANDING AND MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE TAILBOOM

## 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 WPR25LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA010), Oct 9, 2024: Enstrom Helicopter 280C (N646H), Vale, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain engine and rotor rpm during takeoff, that resulted in a hard landing.

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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