# NTSB DEN84LA271: Enstrom 280C, N4992M, Bluffdale, UT, August 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1984, 19:20 local (Aug 29, 1984, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Bluffdale, UT
- Coordinates: 40.500705, -111.940132 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5007&lon=-111.9401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16472
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA271
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16472/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA271

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, hover
  - object - wire,transmission
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT WAS PRACTICING HOVERING OVER A 40 X 60 FOOT HELICOPTER PAD. PLT STATED, A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE HELICOPTER MOVING IT OFF THE PAD AND INTO NEARBY POWER LINES. THE TERRAIN AROUND THE PAD SLOPES DOWN. THE POWER LINES WERE LOCATED APRX 125 FT FROM THE PAD AND WERE 50 TO 75 FT AGL, BUT ONLY 15 FT HIGHER THAN THE PAD. AFTER CONTACTING THE POWER LINE THE HELICOPTER WAS LANDED IN UNEVEN TERRAIN AND ROLLED OVER. THE PLT DID NOT HAVE A ROTORCRAFT RATING ALTHOUGH A PASSENGER WAS ON BOARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4992M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4992M-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 1181 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280C
- Registry model: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-helicopter-280c) (registry code 3300505) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1181
- Airframe hours: 1669
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1BD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Debron Air
- Registered owner: Deborah Nelson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 22, 1984

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,677 total, 1,484 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLC, 22 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 19840828050879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840828050879A), Aug 28, 1984: Enstrm 280C, Bluffdale, UT, Substantial damage. Tail rotor struck powerline while hovering near its pad. Pilot had just purchased helicopter and not rated.

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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