# NTSB CHI92LA129: Enstrom 280C, N51782, Iron Mountain, MI, April 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1992, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Iron Mountain, MI
- Coordinates: 45.820568, -88.059692 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8206&lon=-88.0597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15426
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15426/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA129

## Probable cause

THE PRESENCE OF WATER IN THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - induction air ducting - water (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. AN AUTOROTATION TO A FIELD RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. INSPECTION OF THE HELICOPTER DISCLOSED 22CC OF WATER REMAINING IN THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM CLOSE TO THE AIR FILTER. ONCE THE WATER WAS REMOVED, THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY. FUEL ABOARD THE HELICOPTER WAS THE PROPER GRADE AND FREE OF CONTAMINANTS. FOUR DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, A HEAVY SNOW PASSED THROUGH THE AREA WHERE THE HELICOPTER WAS PARKED OUTSIDE AND UNCOVERED. THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WAS THE FIRST SINCE THE SNOW STORM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N51782 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1151
- Airframe hours: 1495
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1AD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Loewen, John L.
- Registered owner: Loewen, John L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 1, 1992, 25 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 710 total, 520 in this make and model, 559 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °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 19920414010009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920414010009A), Apr 14, 1992: Enstrm 280C, Iron Mountain, MI, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff. Autorotated. Found water in fuel. Had sat out overnight in a heavy snow storm.

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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