# NTSB FTW83FA251: Enstrom 280C, N56932, Opelousas, LA, May 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1983, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Opelousas, LA
- Coordinates: 30.519935, -92.080421 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5199&lon=-92.0804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20727
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20727/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA251

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, hover
  - collective - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - seat belt - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO LIFT OFF TO A HOVER AND BEGAN AN ERRATIC HOVER. THE ACFT PITCHED UP AND SPUN THROWING THEPLT OUT AND FATALLY INJURING HIM. WITNESSES SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW THE PLT WAS GOING TO FLY THE HELICOPTER. THE OPINION WAS THAT IT WAS TO BE AN ENGINE RUN-UP ON THE GROUND. THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE HIS SEAT BELT FASTENED. AFTER HE WAS THROWNOUT THE ACFT FLEW SPINNING UP AND DOWN UNTIL IT IMPACTED IN A FLAT SPINNING MOTION AND SPUN ON THE GROUND UNTIL ROTATION STOPPED AFTER A FEW MINUTES. A WITNESS ENTERED THE COCKPIT AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ABOUT 87 FT FROM THE INITIAL LIFT-OFF POINT. THE PLT HAD ABOUT 8 HOURS SOLO IN HELICOPTERS AND HAD JUST BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT SIMILAR TO THE ONE ABOUT 1 WEEK EARLIER. IN THAT ACCIDENT HE WAS NOT INJURED. THIS HELICOPTER WAS BEING CHECKED BY THE PLT WITH THE IDEA OF PURCHASE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56932](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56932-1991-07-18), registration cancelled 1991-07-18, S/N 1196 (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: 1196
- Airframe hours: 613
- Engines: LYCOMING HI0-360-E1BD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Curtis Parkis Dotson
- Registered owner: Dr. A.L. Beacham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1983, 1 hours before
- Airport: OPL, St. Laundry Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,044 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 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 19830528021489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830528021489A), May 28, 1983: Enstrm 280C, Opelousas, LA, Substantial damage. Allowed tail rotor strik during a hover check of helicopter. Helicopter began to spin and threw unsecured pilot out.

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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