# NTSB DEN82DTM08: Enstrom 280C, N51735, Midway, UT, January 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1982, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Midway, UT
- Coordinates: 40.500644, -111.520706 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5006&lon=-111.5207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DTM08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71702/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DTM08

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, taxi - aerial
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - performed, driver of vehicle (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, taxi - aerial

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED WHILE BEING MOVED ABOUT 150 FT FROM THE PARKING AREA TO A STORAGE BUILDING. THERE WAS ABOUT 2 1/2 FT OF FRESH SNOW ON THE GROUND. THE SNOW HAD BEEN CLEARED FROM THE PARKING AREA IN FRONT OF THE STORAGE BUILDING. HOWEVER, A SNOW CAT HAD MOVED INTO THE PARKING AREA AND HAD STOPPED AS THE PILOT WAS APPROACHING TO LAND. THE PILOT REPORTED THIS MADE THE PARKING AREA UNUSABLE. BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A WHITE-OUT CONDITION DUE TO THE HEAVY CIRCULATION OF SNOW AND BECAME DISORIENTED. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51735](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N51735), registered now, S/N 1139, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280C
- 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: 1139
- Airframe hours: 287
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1BD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cass R. Ward
- Registered owner: Mt. States Hot Oil, Inc.
- Departed: FIELD RANCH
- Destination: FIELD RANCH
- Airport: Field Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 109 total, 109 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °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 19820102000139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820102000139A), Jan 2, 1982: Enstrm 280C, Midway, UT, Substantial damage. Flew helicopter into ground in a whiteout condition while trying to air taxi from parking area to barn hanger.

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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