# NTSB CEN18LA167: Enstrom Helicopter 280C, N67RE, Kerens, TX, May 10, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 10, 2018, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Kerens, TX - Coordinates: 32.005832, -96.150558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0058&lon=-96.1506&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 - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97233 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18LA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97233/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97233 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA167 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot’s inadequate in-flight fuel management. ## 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 · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter had recently undergone some major maintenance, andthe private pilotwas picking up the helicopter to return to his residence. The helicopter departed for the accident flight with about 35 gallons of fuel onboard for the 1.5-hour flight. During the flight, the pilot noticed that the transmission and cylindertemperatures had increased. The pilot subsequently performed an off-airport landing in a field,kept the engine running, and waited for the temperatures to return to normal. After the temperatures returned to normal, the pilot departed. While maneuveringat 1,000 ft above ground level about 1.5 miles from his residence, the pilot heard a noise or “bang” sound. The engine then lost total power, and the pilot initiated an autorotation, during which the helicopter impacted trees and terrainand then came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The examination revealed that both fuel tanks were empty and that the fuel system was not breached. Given that the pilot conducted an unplanned landing and takeoff, he should have accounted for the extra fuel used as he managed the fuel in flight. However, he did not do so, and his inadequate in-flight fuel management likely led to the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Factual narrative On May 10, 2018, about 1745 central daylight time, an Enstrom Helicopter Corporation 280C helicopter, N67RE, impacted trees and terrain following an autorotation after experiencing a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Kerens, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was registered to and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan was not filed. The helicopter departed the Wood County Airport (JDD), Mineola, Texas, about 1615, and was destined for a private residence. According to the pilot, the helicopter underwent some recent major maintenance, and he was picking up the helicopter to return to his residence. Prior to the accident flight, he completed a flight review with a flight instructor in the accident helicopter. During the flight review, the pilot experienced issues with the radio and difficulty with trim control. A mechanic inspected the radio and completed unknown repairs. After the flight review, the pilot added 25 gallons of fuel for a total of about 35 gallons of fuel for the return flight. During the return flight, the pilot noticed the transmission and cylinder temperatures increase on his instrument gauges. The pilot performed an off-airport landing in a field, kept the engine running, and waited for the temperatures to return to normal. After the temperatures returned to normal, the pilot departed. While maneuvering at 1,000 ft above ground level about 1.5 miles from his residence, the pilot heard a noise or bang sound. The engine then lost total power, and the pilot entered an autorotation. During the autorotation, the helicopter impacted trees and terrain, and came to rest upright in wooded terrain. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector completed an examination of the helicopter at the accident site, and at the aircraft recovery facility. The inspector noted the mixture control was found in the rich position. Both left and right fuel tanks were found empty, and the fuel tanks and fuel lines were not compromised. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were noted that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N67RE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67RE-2019-05-04), registration cancelled 2019-05-04, S/N 1168, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ENSTROM HELICOPTER CORP 280C (C) - Registry model: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-helicopter-280c) (registry code 3300505) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HI0-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hi0-360-series) (registry code 41553, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1168 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 5433 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1AD 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 2018 - Departed: JDD, Mineola, TX - Destination: 63TX, Kerens, TX - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 10, 2018; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 269 total, 124 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: CRS, 14 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 20180510007749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180510007749A), May 10, 2018: Enstrom Helicopter Corp 280C, Kerens, TX, Substantial damage. At 1630 [privacy data omitted] departed woods county airport mineola, TX for his Private reseidence near Kerens, TX. At 1752 Mr. Dow heard a loud pop and lost… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97233. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468146&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Fuel Sale Information (item 3, .PDF, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468148&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Fuel%20Sale%20Information-Master.PDF - Maintenance Log Entry (item 4, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468149&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Log%20Entry-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.