# NTSB DEN82FA148: Enstrom F-280, N4202S, Medora, ND, July 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1982, 12:27 local (18:27 UTC)
- Place: Medora, ND
- Coordinates: 46.910537, -103.520759 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9105&lon=-103.5208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71653
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71653/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FA148

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotor drive system,clutch assembly - disabled (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - collective - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING FLT THE PLT NOTICED THAT ENG RPM WAS ABOUT 500 OVER ROTOR RPM. THE ACFT CRASHED DURING AN UNSUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION. THE OVERRUNNING CLUTCH LINKAGE & CLUTCH WAS FOUND IN THE DISENGAED POSITION. A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION REQUIRES THAT THE COLLECTIVE CONTROL LEVER BE PLACED IN THE FULL DOWN POSITION & THE HELICOPTER POSITIONED IN A DESCENT SO AS TO MAINTAIN APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH FORWARD AIRSPEED & THE M/R BLADE SPEED KEPT WITHIN THE GREEN ARC ON THE TACHOMETER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4202S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4202S-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 1018 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-280
- Registry model: [Enstrom 280](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-280) (registry code 3300502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1018
- Airframe hours: 478
- Engines: LYCOMING HTO-360-C1A 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: James R. Ziebart
- Registered owner: James R. Ziebart
- Departed: MEDORA, ND
- Destination: MEDORA, ND
- Airport: Private Helipad

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 670 total, 600 in this make and model, 656 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles

## 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 19820729039729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820729039729A), Jul 29, 1982: Enstrm 280, Medora, ND, Substantial damage. Rotor drive clutch disengaged. Autorotation attempted but rotor RPM too low to prevent crash. AD not complied with.

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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