# NTSB investigations: Enstrom Helicopter 280C A list on [Enstrom Helicopter 280C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-helicopter-280c.md). Matched to the registry by N-number and event date, newest first. Page 1 of 2 · 75 investigations - [NTSB ERA26FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA077.md): Enstrom 280 · Hammonton, NJ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Dec 28, 2025 · N280MG · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > On December 28, 2025, at 1124 eastern standard time, an Enstrom F-28A helicopter, N520H, and an Enstrom 280C helicopter, N280MG, collided in midair near Hammonton, New Jersey. The private pilots onboard each of the helicopters were fatally injured. Both… - [NTSB WPR25LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA010.md): Enstrom Helicopter 280C · Vale, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 9, 2024 · N646H · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain engine and rotor rpm during takeoff, that resulted in a hard landing. - [NTSB CEN24LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA137.md): Enstrom Helicopter 280C · Port Lavaca, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 16, 2024 · N280WR · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper manual engine mixture management which resulted in a loss of power. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s improper setting of the idle mixture adjustment and the pilot’s decision to take off with a known mechanical deficiency. - [NTSB ERA21LA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA339.md): Enstrom 280 · Port Orange, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 21, 2021 · N9285 · Substantial damage > The failure of the tail rotor drive shaft at the coupling due to torsionally applied shear stress. - [NTSB CEN18LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA167.md): Enstrom Helicopter 280C · Kerens, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 10, 2018 · N67RE · Substantial damage > The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot’s inadequate in-flight fuel management. - [NTSB WPR14CA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA101.md): Enstrom Helicopter 280C · Showlow, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 21, 2014 · N51683 · Substantial damage > 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. - [NTSB WPR09LA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA261.md): Enstrom Helicopter 280C · Ogden, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 25, 2009 · N5699N · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper use of the helicopter's collective both during the takeoff sequence and while attempting remedial action in response to an engine over-boost condition, which resulted in a hard precautionary landing. - [NTSB NYC06LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06LA175.md): Enstrom 280C · Danville, WV · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 15, 2006 · N5691B · Substantial damage > 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 strike. - [NTSB IAD05LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA122.md): Enstrom 280C · Saulsville, WV · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2005 · N5691B · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate remedial action following a loss of control during the landing approach. - [NTSB IAD05CA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05CA027.md): Enstrom 280C · Pedricktown, NJ · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 30, 2004 · N175BM · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the takeoff and his failure to flare during the autorotation. - [NTSB IAD05LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA031.md): Enstrom 280C · Galloo Island, NY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2004 · N51739 · Substantial damage > A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the pilot's improper decision to operate the helicopter outside the height velocity curve. - [NTSB MIA03CA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03CA106.md): Enstrom 280C · Panama City Bch, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 10, 2003 · N51752 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm and altitude during takeoff which resulted in the helicopter impacting the water during a descent in an attempt to maintain rotor rpm. - [NTSB CHI02LA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA256.md): Enstrom 280C · Coopersville, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 2002 · N51689 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the transmission wires. Additional factors were the transmission wires and the sunglare. - [NTSB DEN00LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA113.md): Enstrom 280CB · Ruidoso, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 2000 · N440RB · Substantial damage > the loss of engine power as a result of fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of experience in the model of helicopter. - [NTSB CHI00LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA002.md): Enstrom EN-28 · Indianapolis, IN · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 1999 · N602H · Substantial damage > The pilot's attempted operation of the helicopter with known deficiencies, and his improper autorotation to landing. Factors were one fouled spark plug and another partially failed spark plug in the same cylinder, and the construction area. - [NTSB DEN99LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA173.md): Enstrom 280C · Longmont, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 1999 · N84DH · Substantial damage > An inaccurate touchdown during a full autorotation, which resulted in main rotor flex which cut off the tail boom. Factors were the pilot's lack of total experience in helicopters and high density altitude. - [NTSB DEN99LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA084.md): Enstrom 280C · Baggs, WY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 22, 1999 · N535H · Substantial damage > The pilot not maintaining the main rotor's RPM. Factor's were the high density altitude, and the mountainous/hilly terrain. - [NTSB NYC98LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA079.md): Enstrom F280F · New Alexandria, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 1998 · N66JV · Substantial damage > A bird strike. - [NTSB NYC97LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA097.md): Enstrom 280-C · Clarksburg, NJ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 21, 1997 · N613LG · No damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the hangar. - [NTSB IAD97GA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97GA049.md): Enstrom 280C · Lucasville, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Feb 19, 1997 · N51662 · Substantial damage > The pilot in command failure to maintain rotor rpm. - [NTSB FTW96LA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA291.md): Enstrom 280C · Castle Rock, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 1996 · N51763 · Substantial damage > Total failure of the magneto. A factor was the pilot operating the helicopter with a known deficiency. - [NTSB CHI96LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA205.md): Enstrom 280C · Lambertville, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 1996 · N557H · Substantial damage > a total loss of engine power as a result of fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight, and the pilot's misjudged distance/altitude during the subsequent autorotation. A factor was inadequate maintenance and inspection. - [NTSB NYC96FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96FA003.md): Enstrom 280C · Quakertown, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 6, 1995 · N976BT · Destroyed > improper installation of the magneto by maintenance personnel, which resulted in the loss of ignition and the loss of engine power. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for an emergency landing. - [NTSB FTW95LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA356.md): Enstrom 280C · Houston, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 21, 1995 · N911BT · Substantial damage > The flight instructor's poor judgement, and his disregard of the owner's objection to air taxi into the hangar. - [NTSB SEA95LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA118.md): Enstrom 280C · The Dalles, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 14, 1995 · N51657 · Substantial damage > A partial loss of engine power due to one set of ignition points becoming loose during flight. Factors included the low altitude flight and maneuvering required to conduct the operation and the resulting lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. - [NTSB LAX94LA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA239.md): Enstrom 280C · California City, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 5, 1994 · N123MT · Substantial damage > the pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty wind conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain control of the helicopter. - [NTSB NYC93LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA109.md): Enstrom 280C · Glen Mills, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 1993 · N51739 · Substantial damage > An improperly planned approach in which the flare was not attained, and which resulted in a hard landing. - [NTSB SEA91LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA128.md): Enstrom F280C · Baggs, WY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 1991 · N5695Y · Substantial damage > Exhaust valve failure, resulting in a partial power loss. Contributing factors were low altitude and rough/uneven terrain. - [NTSB LAX90LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA121.md): Enstrom F-28C · Canyon Lake, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 18, 1990 · N554H · Substantial damage > The pilot to maintain proper rotor RPM during a practice autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the uneven terrain selected by the pilot to conduct practice touch maneuvers. - [NTSB DEN89LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA120.md): Enstrom 280C · Colorado Spgs, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 17, 1989 · N624H · Substantial damage > Inadequate compensation for the wind conditions by the pilot. The high density altitude and wind conditions were contributing factors. - [NTSB DEN88LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA163.md): Enstrom 280C · Glendive, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 1988 · N111CD · Substantial damage - [NTSB LAX88FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA140.md): Enstrom 280C · Fremont, CA · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 1988 · N5692P · Substantial damage > Failure of the engine to main rotor drive system due to a drive belt slippage caused by a drive pulley worn beyond its service limit. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate factory maintenance manuals which did not provide the serviceable limits for… - [NTSB DEN87LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA245.md): Enstrom 280C · Bountiful, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 1987 · N5692D · Destroyed > While on a local low level pleasure flt the plt failed to see power lines and an in flight collision with the lines occurred severing the right skid and 90 degree gear box from the acft. A semi-autorotative crash occurred on the bank of a irrigation reservoir. - [NTSB NYC87LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA012.md): Enstrom 280C · Newport, RI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 1986 · N647H · Substantial damage > Aircraft descended and collided with water when the pilot attempted to regain visual ground reference when weather deteriorated. No plt acc report was received. Plt time was not reported or available. - [NTSB LAX86LA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA291.md): Enstrom EN-280-C · Los Altos, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 13, 1986 · N5692P · Substantial damage > The instructor stated that during a practice auto rotative landing the helicopter lost rotor RPM and a hard landing followed. On ground contact, the main rotor blades struck the tail cone, resulting in substantial damage. The instructor further stated that… - [NTSB NYC86LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA128.md): Enstrom F-28C · Ephrata, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 14, 1986 · N100WZ · Substantial damage > The Enstrom F28C was cruising enroute when it experienced a loss of power for reasons unknown. During the landing, in a large open field, the main rotor was damaged and the tail rotor separated from the tail boom. The lone occupant, the pilot, was uninjured… - [NTSB NYC86LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA107.md): Enstrom F-280C · Ridgefield, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 18, 1986 · N51721 · Substantial damage > Seconds after an over-water takeoff from a shoreline helipad the acft impacted the water and sank. The pilot and pax escaped from the submerged acft and were not injured. The pilot claimed that he had a split needle in which the rotor RPM deteriorated. The… - [NTSB NYC85LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA143.md): Enstrom 280C · S.Woodstock, VT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 1985 · N5694Y · Substantial damage > The helicopter experienced a loss of RPM on liftoff and received substantial damage when it collided with a chain link fence. The plt stated that on liftoff to aprx 50 ft AGL, the RPM dropped off to 2800 and a loss of climb resulted. The plt descended in an… - [NTSB NYC85FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA015.md): Enstrom 280C · Butler, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 28, 1984 · N51686 · Destroyed > The helicopter struck the static line of a high voltage transmission line while on a flt to photograph an apartment complex. The owner of the complex accompanied the plt on the flt, there after the acft was to be used for passenger sightseeing flts as part of… - [NTSB DEN84LA271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA271.md): Enstrom 280C · Bluffdale, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 1984 · N4992M · Substantial damage > Plt was practicing hovering over a 40 x 60 foot helicopter pad. Plt stated, a gust of wind caught the helicopter moving it off the pad and into nearby power lines. The terrain around the pad slopes down. The power lines were located aprx 125 ft from the pad… - [NTSB SEA84FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84FA063.md): Enstrom 280C · Middleton, ID · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 29, 1984 · N51715 · Destroyed > The acft collided with the terrain during a test flt. Witnesses observed the acft rotate about 180 degrees about its vertical axis go nose low and descend vertically to the ground. A noise change described as a 'sputter' or tone change' was heard during this… - [NTSB CHI83LA436](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA436.md): Enstrom 280C · Pontiac, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 1983 · N5692L · Substantial damage > While returning from a traffic reporting flt, the plt elected to practice an autorotation. He stated that while he was in the process, the eng failed. He reported that he had initiated standard autorotation procedures, but impacted hard during the landing.… - [NTSB SEA83LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA194.md): Enstrom 280C · N. Hailey, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 1983 · N999TP · Substantial damage > The plt reported that during takeoff from a county road (elevation 5500 ft), he allowed the RPM to drop 'below green.' Reportedly, he had a choice of either setting the helicopter down on the road or flying down a slope to gain airspeed. He elected to land on… - [NTSB SEA83FA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA135.md): Enstrom 280C · Kent, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 28, 1983 · N652H · Substantial damage > During a traffic reporting flt for a radio station, the plt noted the onset of a severe vibration which he felt through the antitorque pedals. He stated that within seconds, the helicopter lost directional control & began a rapid, uncontrolled spin to the… - [NTSB FTW83LA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA287.md): Enstrom 280C · Frisco, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 1983 · N51738 · Substantial damage > The plt reported that during flt, the low pressure fuel light illuminated & the nose of the helicopter yawed to the left as if the eng had lost power. He made a precautionary landing in a soft, plowed field with a forward speed of about 10 to 15 mph. During… - [NTSB NYC83FNC05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FNC05.md): Enstrom 280C · New Market, NH · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Jun 2, 1983 · N587H · Substantial damage > After completing a normal run-up & mag check, the plt hovered in ground effect. A normal takeoff was then made in groundeffect. At about 200 ft AGL the plt noticed the RPM dropping from 2900 to about 2700. He tried to restore by dropping collective &… - [NTSB FTW83FA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA251.md): Enstrom 280C · Opelousas, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 28, 1983 · N56932 · Substantial damage > The helicopter was observed to lift off to a hover and began an erratic hover. The acft pitched up and spun throwing theplt out and fatally injuring him. Witnesses said they did not know the plt was going to fly the helicopter. The opinion was that it was to… - [NTSB LAX83LA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA248.md): Enstrom 280C · Goshen, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 24, 1983 · N51763 · Substantial damage > About 5 min after taking off, the plt noticed a sudden loss of power to the tail rotor. He made an emergency landing in an alfalfa field. He reported that during an autorotative landing, he had insufficient collective to flare properly. Subsequently, the main… - [NTSB LAX83LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA134.md): Enstrom F280C · Concord, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 11, 1983 · N5691H · Substantial damage > The helicopter collided with a tree during a landing after a decay in rotor RPM during takeoff. According to the pilot the acft was facing southeast prior to departure and the pilot estimated that the wind was from the northwest at 8 KTS. Following a pedal… - [NTSB SEA83FYM02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FYM02.md): Enstrom 280C · North Plains, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Dec 17, 1982 · N5686Z · Destroyed > At about 0530 PST, the pilot departed from his home at ridge field, WA on a flight to hillsboro, OR. According to the pilot's instructor, the normal route used for this trip would been to proceed on a southerly heading to cornelius pass, go through the pass,… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-helicopter-280c/ntsb.md?page=2 ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c."mKey" = a.case_mkey WHERE a.aircraft_model_code IN ('3300505') ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-helicopter-280c/ntsb --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.