# Accident 20250315005509A: Enstrom 280FX, Waterford, CA, March 15, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 15, 2025, 10:56 local time
- Place: Waterford, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.6665° N, 120.6631° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6665&lon=-120.6631&mi=10
- Aircraft: N402TA, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N402TA-2025-12-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Enstrom 280FX (registry code 3300506, https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-280fx) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG (registry code 99999, https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280FX
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,200 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR25LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA112) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250315005509A

## Narrative

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

ON MARCH 15, 2025, THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) AND ONE PASSENGER WERE ON A PERSONAL FLIGHT UNDER PART 91 REGULATIONS. WHILE FLYING OVER THE MODESTO RESERVOIR, THE HELICOPTER FLEW LOW OVER THE WATER. DURING THIS MANEUVER, THE SKIDS OF THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED THE WATER, LEADING TO A CRASH INTO THE RESERVOIR THAT CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHILE THE PASSENGER SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES AND WAS AIRLIFTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE STANISLAUS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE SCENE AND SECURED THE AIRCRAFT INVOLVED.

## 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 WPR25LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA112), Mar 15, 2025: Enstrom 280FX (N402TA), Waterford, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water while operating at a low altitude.

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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