# NTSB CEN10CA138: Enstrom 280FX, N327TB, Goshen, IN, March 4, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 4, 2010, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Goshen, IN - Coordinates: 41.52639, -85.794166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5264&lon=-85.7942&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75445 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75445/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75445 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA138 ## Probable cause The inadequate preflight inspection by both pilots, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the disconnected fuel tank sending unit. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level; cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel sys wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022897): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022897/cases.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022897/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter had undergone an annual inspection and was preflighted and flown by the pilot for a maintenance test flight. The pilot did not check the right fuel tank level during that preflight. On the following day, the pilot and another pilot seated in the right seat departed on another maintenance test flight without visually checking the fuel level in either fuel tank. They instead relied on fuel consumption calculations based upon previous flight time and fuel gauge indications. After about 42 minutes of flight time, the helicopter experienced a total loss of engine power while being piloted by the left-seat pilot. The right-seat pilot then took the controls and performed an autorotation but had to maneuver to change the touchdown point in order to avoid power lines. The helicopter then experienced a hard landing. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that there was about one cup of fuel in the left fuel tank and no fuel in the right fuel tank. Postaccident inspection revealed that an electrical connector from the right fuel tank sending unit was found disconnected, which would have given a false "full" indication of fuel quantity. ## Factual narrative The helicopter had undergone an annual inspection and was preflighted and flown by the pilot for a maintenance test flight. The pilot did not check the right fuel tank level during that preflight. On the following day, the pilot and another pilot seated in the right seat departed on another maintenance test flight without visually checking the fuel level in either fuel tank. They instead relied on fuel consumption calculations based upon previous flight time and fuel gauge indications. After about 42 minutes of flight time, the helicopter experienced a total loss of engine power. The right seat pilot then performed an autorotation but had to maneuver to change the touchdown point in order to avoid power lines. The helicopter then experienced a hard landing. Examination of the wreckage revealed that a connector from the right fuel tank sending unit was disconnected. There was about one cup of fuel in the left fuel tank and no fuel in the right fuel tank. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, including damage to the tail boom. The left seat pilot received minor injuries and the right seat pilot received serious injuries. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N327TB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N327TB-2011-02-24), registration cancelled 2011-02-24, S/N 2118, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280FX - Registry model: [Enstrom 280FX](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-280fx) (registry code 3300506) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-f1ad) (registry code 41896, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2118 - Airframe hours: 244 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-51A 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 2010 - Departed: GSH, Goshen, IN - Destination: GSH, Goshen, IN - Airport: GSH, Goshen Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 346 total, 4 in this make and model, 288 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: GSH, 1 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 20100304029009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100304029009A), Mar 4, 2010: Enstrom 280FX, Goshen, IN, Substantial damage. During the first flight after the annual inspection to perform rotor tracking and balance the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion. Executed an… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75445. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Left Seat Pilot) (item 1, .PDF, 758 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Left%20Seat%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Right Seat Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 387 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329231&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Right%20Seat%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - Weather Information (item 3, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328387&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information-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.