# NTSB CHI88LA168: Enstrom 280FX, N280FX, Menominee, MI, July 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1988, 09:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Menominee, MI
- Coordinates: 45.120182, -87.620841 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1202&lon=-87.6208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14116
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14116/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA168

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - run on landing - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING A DEMONSTRATION OF AN AUTOROTATION TO A RUN-ON LANDING, THE HELICOPTER SKIDS DRAGGED IN THE SOFT GRASS UPON TOUCHDOWN, AND THE HELICOPTER VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHEN THE HELICOPTER VEERED LEFT, THE RIGHT SKID DUG DEEPER INTO THE TURF AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N280FX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N280FX), registered now, S/N 2001, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280FX
- Registry model: [Enstrom 280FXT](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-280fxt) (registry code 3300509) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2001
- Airframe hours: 1643
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-F1AD 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Enstrom Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 15, 1987, 85 hours before
- Airport: MNM, Memominee

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,885 total, 900 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRB, 44 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 19880716026759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880716026759A), Jul 16, 1988: Enstrm 280FX, Menominee, MI, Substantial damage. While demonstrating a power off run on landing,a skid hit soft ground and helicopter flipped over on its side.

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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