# NTSB CHI82DA281: Enstrom 280C, N5698M, Spring Green, WI, July 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1982, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Spring Green, WI
- Location: 43.1776° N, 90.0688° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Spring Green, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1776&lon=-90.0688&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72674
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72674/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA281

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A PHOTOGRAPHIC FLIGHT FOR THE PURPOSE OF TAKING PICTURES OF A PIECE OF FARM EQUIPMENT. THE FIRST PASS WAS MADE AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL, HEADING INTO THE WIND. A TURN WAS THEN MADE DOWNWIND, BACK TOWARD THE FARM EQUIPMENT. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE HELICOPTER LOST ROTOR RPM AND BEGAN TO SETTLE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE LOOKED AT THE AIRSPEED GAUGE, IT INDICATED ZERO. HE WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER THE RPM AND THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN IN MATURE CORN WHILE IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. DURING THE TOUCHDOWN, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES AND TAIL ROTOR COLLIDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5698M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5698M-1990-04-13), registration cancelled 1990-04-13, S/N 1217 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280C
- Registry model: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-helicopter-280c) (registry code 3300505) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1217
- Airframe hours: 275
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1BD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Rotor Aire, Inc.
- Registered owner: Rotor Aire, Inc.
- Departed: MSN, MADISON, WI
- Destination: MSN, MADISON, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,936 total, 14 in this make and model, 1,663 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Temperature: 178 °F

## 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 19820729033839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820729033839A), Jul 29, 1982: Enstrm 280C, Spring Green, WI, Substantial damage. Allowed rotor RPM decay while hovering at 50 feet AGL. Tail rotor struck cornstalks. Departed and hit main rotors.

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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