# NTSB CHI83LA436: Enstrom 280C, N5692L, Pontiac, MI, September 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1983, 09:07 local (13:07 UTC)
- Place: Pontiac, MI
- Coordinates: 42.76913, -82.530548 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7691&lon=-82.5305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12353
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA436
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12353/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA436

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach
  - precautionary landing - simulated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE RETURNING FROM A TRAFFIC REPORTING FLT, THE PLT ELECTED TO PRACTICE AN AUTOROTATION. HE STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS IN THE PROCESS, THE ENG FAILED. HE REPORTED THAT HE HAD INITIATED STANDARD AUTOROTATION PROCEDURES, BUT IMPACTED HARD DURING THE LANDING. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND. THE ENGINE RAN PROPERLY DURING AN OPERATIONAL CHECK AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5692L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5692L-1985-05-14), registration cancelled 1985-05-14, S/N 1177 (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: N5692L
- Airframe hours: 2090
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1BD 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pdq Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 24, 1983, 51 hours before
- Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,500 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19830921050109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830921050109A), Sep 21, 1983: Enstrm 280C, Pontiac, MI, Substantial damage. Rolled power off too rapidly on practice auto rotation. Engine quit due to rapid cooling. Fell 75 ft to the ground.

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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