# NTSB DEN87LA245: Enstrom 280C, N5692D, Bountiful, UT, September 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1987, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Bountiful, UT
- Coordinates: 40.880977, -111.820915 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8810&lon=-111.8209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17316
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17316/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA245

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission
  - landing gear,skid assembly - separation (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

WHILE ON A LOCAL LOW LEVEL PLEASURE FLT THE PLT FAILED TO SEE POWER LINES AND AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH THE LINES OCCURRED SEVERING THE RIGHT SKID AND 90 DEGREE GEAR BOX FROM THE ACFT. A SEMI-AUTOROTATIVE CRASH OCCURRED ON THE BANK OF A IRRIGATION RESERVOIR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5692D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5692D-2013-07-10), registration cancelled 2013-07-10, S/N 1183, built 1979 (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: 1183
- Airframe hours: 306
- Engines: LYCOMING HI0-360-E1AD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lynn Roger Calder
- Registered owner: Curtis S. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 1986, 55 hours before
- Departed: BTF, BOUNTIFUL, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; medical: class 3, expired; seat: right; flight hours: 350 total, 123 in this make and model, 123 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BTF, 15 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 19870926056559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870926056559A), Sep 26, 1987: Enstrm 280C, Bountiful, UT, Destroyed. Struck powerlines while maneuvering at a low altitude and crashed. Pilots medical and flight review not current.

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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