# NTSB CEN09CA257: Enstrom 280FX, N409LH, Dacono, CO, April 20, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 20, 2009, 11:22 local (17:22 UTC) - Place: Dacono, CO - Coordinates: 40.010276, -105.048057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0103&lon=-105.0481&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 73698 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA257 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73698/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73698 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA257 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Simulated malf/failure; cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the instructor, the student pilot was making a practice autorotation to be followed by a powered recovery in preparation for his taking the private pilot practical test. When power was added, only 2500 rpm (instead of 3050 rpm) were attained. The helicopter slid approximately 2 feet on a rain-soaked field. The skid toes dug into the soft ground, stopping forward movement and causing the fuselage to shift forward. The main rotor blades contacted and severed the tail rotor driveshaft. In addition the tail rotor gearbox, tailboom, and a main rotor blade were damaged. Postaccident examination of the engine and powertrain revealed no anomalies that would have prevented the engine from producing full power. ## Factual narrative According to the instructor, the student pilot was making a practice autorotation to be followed by a powered recovery in preparation for his taking the private pilot practical test. When power was added, only 2500 rpm (revolutions per minute) instead of 3050 rpm was attained. A forced landing ensued and the helicopter slid approximately 2 feet on a rain-soaked field. The skid toes dug into the soft ground, stopping forward movement and causing the fuselage to shift forward. The main rotor blades contacted and severed the tail rotor driveshaft. In addition, the the tail rotor gearbox, tailboom, and a main rotor blade were damaged. Post-accident examination of the engine and power train revealed no anomalies that would have prevented the engine from producing full power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N409LH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N409LH-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 2014, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280FX - Registry model: [Enstrom 280FX](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-280fx) (registry code 3300506) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2014 - Airframe hours: 2822 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: New Course Aviation Company - Registered owner: Family Tree Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 2009, 55 hours before - Departed: EIK, Erie, CO - Destination: EIK, Erie, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 27; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 15, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 1,060 total, 64 in this make and model, 955 as pilot in command, 136 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 34; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 119 total, 28 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Observed at: EIK, 7 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20090420003759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090420003759A), Apr 20, 2009: Enstrm 280FX, Erie, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) During training in preparation for a private pilot certificate, instructor initiated a simulated power failure. Normal autorotational descent was… ## Other investigations on N409LH (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 CEN15LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA084), Dec 8, 2014: Enstrom 280FX (N409LH), Fort Lupton, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 4, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73698. 5.6 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 699 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314082&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Right side of tail boom and portion of horizontal stabilizer. (item 2, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314161&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Right%20side%20of%20tail%20boom%20and%20portion%20of%20horizontal%20stabilizer.-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Left side of tail boom. (item 3, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314162&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Left%20side%20of%20tail%20boom.-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Damaged tail rotor drive shaft and tail boom. (item 4, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314163&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Damaged%20tail%20rotor%20drive%20shaft%20and%20tail%20boom.-Master.PDF 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. --- 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.