# NTSB CHI03LA183: Enstrom 280C, N5695D, West Branch, MI, June 15, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 15, 2003, 13:38 local (17:38 UTC) - Place: West Branch, MI - Coordinates: 44.294723, -84.17028 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2947&lon=-84.1703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA- Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57311 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57311/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA183 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the connecting rod cap. A related factor was the unsuitable terrain the pilot encountered. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod - fatigue (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command - terrain condition - water (contributing factor) ## Analysis The helicopter impacted water during an autorotation following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported he lost engine power during initial climb and the helicopter landed upright about 75 feet off the shore in about 2-1/2 feet of water. An inspection of the helicopter confirmed flight control continuity. Both fuel tanks contained 25 gallons of fuel and the engine contained 8 quarts of oil. The main and tail rotors showed drivetrain continuity. A large hole was found in the crankcase, near the number one engine cylinder, and the number one connecting rod was protruding from the hole. Examination of the broken connecting rod cap revealed fracture features that were consistent with a fatigue-type failure. Additionally, the material encompassing the fatigue initiation point was galled along with several other areas of the bearing interface. ## Factual narrative On June 15, 2003, at 1338 eastern daylight time, an Enstrom 280C, N5695D, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted water following a loss of engine power near West Branch, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported serious injuries and his passenger reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight departed from a private helipad near West Branch, Michigan, at 1320 with an intended destination of Selkirk, Michigan. The pilot reported he did not notice any anomalies with the engine gauges while in hover shortly after liftoff. The pilot noted he was in a climbing departure when he heard noises over his headset. The pilot stated he did not have enough engine power to continue flight, so he began an autorotation. The pilot reported he steered right during the autorotation and landed upright about 75 feet off the shore in about 2-1/2 feet of water. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector conducted the on-scene inspection of the helicopter. The inspection of the helicopter confirmed flight control continuity. Both fuel tanks contained 25 gallons of fuel and the engine contained 8 quarts of oil. The main and tail rotors showed drivetrain continuity. A large hole was found in the crankcase, near the number one engine cylinder, and the number one connecting rod was protruding from the hole. Examination of the broken connecting rod cap revealed fracture features that were consistent with a fatigue-type failure. Additionally, the material encompassing the fatigue initiation point was galled along with several other areas of the bearing interface. ## Aircraft - Registration: N5695D (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Enstrom 280C - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1210 - Airframe hours: 768.7 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 SER 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 2003, 12.1 hours before - Departed: PVT, West Branch, MI - Destination: 1MI7, Selkirk, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 29, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 1,311 total, 194 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: HTL, 22 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 20030615011939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030615011939A), Jun 15, 2003: Enstrm 280C, West Branch, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Engine failed shortly after takeoff from pilot's residence, autorotated into lake in front of pilot's home. 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.