# NTSB CHI77FA032: Enstrom 280C, N594H, Valparaiso, IN, February 25, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: February 25, 1977
- Place: Valparaiso, IN · VALPARAISO, IN
- Location: 41.4798° N, 87.0523° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Valparaiso, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4798&lon=-87.0523&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 17, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79738
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI77FA032
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FA032

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4239  77/2/25    VALPARAISO,IN       ENSTROM 280C        CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1136                    N594H               PX-  0  0  0  OTHER                     56, 20600 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            4000 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - PORTER COUNTY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WEST BEND,IN                VALPARAISO,IN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: SUBSTANDARD QUALITY CONTROL
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DISTORTED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
        REMARKS- FERRY FLT FACTORY TO DEALER.T/R BLADE GRIP NOT HARDENED DURING MANUFACTURE.T/R SEPARATED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N594H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N594H), registered now, S/N 1074, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280C
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Porter County

## 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 19770225039159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770225039159A), Feb 25, 1977: Enstrm 280, Dillon, IN, Substantial damage. Climbed thru trees while adjusting pwr to improve performance. Dens alt 8800FT.

## Other investigations on N594H (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 SEA77FTI15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77FTI15), Jul 7, 1977: Enstrom 280C (N594H), Dillon, MT, substantial damage

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.

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