# NTSB CHI85LA310: Enstrom 280C, N556H, Milford, MI, July 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1985, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Milford, MI
- Coordinates: 42.680072, -82.910324 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6801&lon=-82.9103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA310
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13160/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA310

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - adequate rotor rpm - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
  - level off - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A 'STEEP APPROACH' TO A HOVER OVER A BOAT CHANNEL AND THEN LD IN THE YARD OF A RESIDENCE. HE THEN PICKED UP A 270 ID PAX FLEW A SHORT FLT AND WAS REFUELED WITH 25 GALS OF FUEL. AFTER ANOTHER SHORT FLT THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE CHANNEL AND PERFORMED ANOTHER STEEP APPROACH. HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE DESCENT AND SETTLED INTO THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N556H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Enstrom 280C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1041
- Engines: LYCOMING HI0-360-E1AD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: M. Jacobson & J. Rosenthal
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1985
- Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Destination: MILFORD, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 205 total, 70 in this make and model, 116 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET, 29 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 19850721033869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850721033869A), Jul 21, 1985: Enstrm 280C, Milford, MI, Substantial damage. Unable to come to a hover from a steep descent. Descended into the waters of a channel.

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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