# NTSB DEN82DA072: Enstrom 280-C, N629H, Granger, WY, April 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1982, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Granger, WY
- Coordinates: 41.60054, -110.010246 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6005&lon=-110.0102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70885
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70885/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA072

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - throttle/power control - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor system - distorted (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE BACKFIRED AND QUIT DURING TAKEOFF. THE PILOT CLEARED A FENCE AND DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE GEAR COLLAPSED. NO ENGINE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE COULD BE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N629H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N629H-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 1082, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280-C
- Registry model: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-helicopter-280c) (registry code 3300505) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HI0-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hi0-360-series) (registry code 41553, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1082
- Airframe hours: 730
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1AD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mark W. Matherly
- Registered owner: Rocky Mountain Recycle
- Departed: GRANGER, WY
- Destination: LITTLE AMERICA, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 770 total, 220 in this make and model, 660 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 104 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820426012039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820426012039A), Apr 26, 1982: Enstrm 280C, Granger, WY, Substantial damage. During lift off engine backfired and helicopter crashed. No malfunction of engine could be determined.

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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