# NTSB ERA24LA327: Enstrom 280FX, N280D, Russellville, KY, July 27, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 27, 2024, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Russellville, KY · On taxiway - Coordinates: 36.799611, -86.810917 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7996&lon=-86.8109&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194783 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA327 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194783/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA327 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s failure to maintain sufficient rotor rpm while maneuvering the helicopter low to the ground, which resulted in a loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) (defining event); cases with it: [Enstrom 280FX, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?model=3300506), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor uneventfully demonstrated a rapid deceleration maneuver to the fixed-wing pilot-rated passenger into the wind, performed a left pedal turn, and performed another rapid deceleration maneuver (with a tailwind). The flight instructor then initiated another left pedal turn; however, the helicopter failed to turn, and the low-rotor RPM light came on. The flight instructor said that he attempted to recover by lowering the collective and adding full throttle, but the throttle was already fully open. The low-rotor RPM light remained illuminated and engine RPM started to drop. The helicopter landed and slid down a slope adjacent to the runway and came to rest on its left side. This resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor blades and tail cone. The pilot rated passenger provided a similar account of the events and said that after he exited the helicopter, the instructor told him that they had just “settled with power.” The flight instructor reported there were no mechanical deficiencies that contributed to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N280D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N280D-2025-05-03), registration cancelled 2025-05-03, S/N 2027, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280FX - Registry model: [Enstrom 280FX](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-280fx) (registry code 3300506) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-f1ad) (registry code 41896, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2027 - Year built: 1988 - Airframe hours: 1536 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-F1AD 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 2024 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 4M7, Russellville-Logan County, runway 07/25, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 53; injuries: none; flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 26, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 307 total, 84 in this make and model, 194 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 25; injuries: none; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 860 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: BWG, 21 nm away - METAR: KBWG 271953Z AUTO 08004KT 10SM BKN090 OVC110 31/22 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP170 T03060217 ## 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 20240727013599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240727013599A), Jul 27, 2024: Enstrom 280FX, Russellville, KY, Substantial damage. On Saturday July 27th 2024 at 1850 zulu, an Enstrom 280FX, registered as [privacy data omitted] was conducting flight training under 14 CFR part 61 when it… 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.