# NTSB ERA21LA309: Enstrom 280, N36DK, Colchester, VT, July 30, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 30, 2021, 16:25 local (20:25 UTC) - Place: Colchester, VT - Coordinates: 44.568671, -73.313212 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5687&lon=-73.3132&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Enstrom Helicopters, Beta Technologies, FAA/ FSDO, Lycoming Engines - NTSB case key (mKey): 103595 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA309 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103595/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103595 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA309 ## Probable cause An in-flight fire originating in the engine compartment near the turbocharger from a source that could not be determined, which resulted in a loss of engine power and led to an autorotation and a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that while enroute he smelled and then observed smoke in the cockpit. He also observed a rapidly rising exhaust gas temperature despite moving the mixture to full rich. The pilot initiated a precautionary landing during which the helicopter experienced a partial and then total loss of engine power. During the final segment of the autorotation, the helicopter impacted trees and landed hard on a causeway. Postaccident examination of the engine found significant soot and thermal damage, which precluded a determination of the specific source of the in-flight engine fire. However, one cause of the fire could be eliminated. Specifically, the heaviest area of thermal damage was located around the No. 3 cylinder near the turbocharger. The outer portion of the turbocharger displayed significant thermal damage, but the turbocharger exhaust and inlet clamps were intact and remained tightly installed with safety wires present. Therefore, leakage of exhaust gases from the turbocharger was not the cause of the in-flight fire. The external damage to the turbocharger indicated that its high temperature surfaces were possible ignition sources for an ignitable liquid, such as lubricating oil or fuel. The flexible fuel and oil lines all displayed significant thermal damage, and some were destroyed by fire. Several oil lines were located near the thermal damage in the forward left portion of the engine compartment. Therefore, lubricating oil from these lines was a possible fuel source for the fire. In addition, because the flexible fuel lines were either damaged or destroyed, fuel from these lines could not be eliminated as a source of fuel for the in-flight fire. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 2021, about 1625 eastern daylight time, an Enstrom 280FX helicopter, N36DK, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Colchester, Vermont. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The helicopter was operated by Beta Air LLC as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he departed for a proficiency flight from Plattsburgh International Airport (PGB), Plattsburgh, New York, to Burlington International Airport (BTV), Burlington, Vermont. While enroute to BTV, the pilot “noticed something burning” and then “observed smoke in the cockpit.” He also observed a rapidly rising exhaust gas temperature despite moving the mixture to full rich and initiated a precautionary landing during which the helicopter lost partial and then total engine power. The pilot subsequently completed an autorotation landing on the Lake Champlain Causeway, striking trees before coming to rest on the road and rocks that lined the causeway. The pilot stated that, once he exited the helicopter, he saw flames and smoke coming from the engine compartment. He did not observe any fuel leaking onto the ground. According to a witness who was walking along the causeway, she heard something that sounded like a car accident and saw that the helicopter had impacted the causeway. She observed smoke emanating from the rear of the helicopter and saw the pilot evacuate from the wreckage. She helped the pilot move farther away from the helicopter and, shortly thereafter, saw fire consuming the helicopter (see the figure below). Figure. Helicopter fire (Source: social media site). Postaccident examination of the engine revealed significant soot and thermal damage. The heaviest area of thermal damage was located around the No. 3 cylinder near the turbocharger. The outer portion of the turbocharger displayed significant thermal damage. The turbocharger exhaust and inlet clamps were intact and remained tightly installed with safety wires present. The turbocharger was partially disassembled, and the interior displayed no evidence of thermal damage. The flexible fuel and oil lines displayed significant thermal damage, and some were destroyed by fire. It was not possible to evaluate the lines for possible leakage due to the extensive thermal damage. The metal fuel lines were found securely connected to their respective attach points. Several oil lines were located near fire damage in the forward left portion of the engine compartment, where the thermal damage was most severe. Maintenance records revealed that, on March 12, 2021, the helicopter’s engine was replaced, and all fuel and oil hoses were replaced with new hoses. The helicopter had flown about 200 hours since this maintenance. On May 13, 2021, an annual inspection was completed, and the engine was found to be in an airworthy condition. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36DK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36DK-2023-10-17), registration cancelled 2023-10-17, S/N 2003, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280 (FX) - Registry model: [Enstrom 280FX](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-280fx) (registry code 3300506) (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: 2003 - Year built: 1985 - Airframe hours: 2195 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Both - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Beta Air LLC - Registered owner: Beta Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 2021, 35 hours before - Departed: PBG, Plattsburgh, NY - Destination: BTV, Burlington, VT - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 18, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,223 total, 44 in this make and model, 1,593 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 13 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: BTV, 9 nm away - METAR: KBTV 302054Z 31013G22KT 10SM BKN055 21/07 A2984 RMK AO2 SLP103 T02060072 53009 ## 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 20210730012249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210730012249A), Jul 30, 2021: Enstrom 280FX, Colchester, VT, Destroyed. On 7/30/21 at 2025Z N36DK experienced smoke in the cockpit and rising exhaust gas temperature followed by partial then complete power loss for unknown reasons.… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 8, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103595. 13.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13077790&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation (pilot in command) (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13078308&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Rel.pdf - Witness statement (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13078103&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Airframe and engine examination (item 4, PDF, 8 pages, 9 photos, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13078867&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination-Rel.pdf - Excerpts of maintenance records (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 923 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13097578&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Excerpts%20of%20maintenance%20records%20-%20Redacted_RedactedV2-Rel.pdf - Maintenance manual excerpts (item 6, PDF, 6 pages, 652 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13077706&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=F-28F%20280F%20Series%20MM%20Excerpts-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 7, PDF, 4 pages, 6 photos, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13078155&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 597 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13078298&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Completed%20Release%20of%20Wreckage%20Signed%20-%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 9, PDF, 3 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13078085&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Member%20Forms%20-%20Redacted-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.