# NTSB IAD05CA027: Enstrom 280C, N175BM, Pedricktown, NJ, December 30, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 30, 2004, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Pedricktown, NJ - Coordinates: 39.735553, -75.397499 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7356&lon=-75.3975&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 60785 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD05CA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60785/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05CA027 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the takeoff and his failure to flare during the autorotation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - throttle/power control - inadequate, pilot in command - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command - Hard landing, emergency landing - flare - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Roll over, emergency landing ## Analysis During his first solo flight in the accident helicopter, the pilot made adjustments to the cyclic and collective controls during the takeoff. When his attention was diverted, the engine and rotor rpm decayed below the "green zone", and he subsequently elected to perform an autorotation to a field. He did not perform a landing flare and the helicopter landed hard, bounced, and then rolled onto its side. He reported no mechanical abnormalities with the helicopter and stated that the accident was "a result of pilot error." ## Factual narrative On December 30, 2004, about 1200 eastern standard time, an Enstrom 280C, N175BM, was substantially damaged during a hard landing following an autorotation near Spitfire Aerodrome (7N7), Pedricktown, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to pilot, he had received 4 hours of dual instruction in the accident helicopter on the 3 days prior to the accident, and had been "checked out" in the accident helicopter. On the morning of the accident, he departed for his first solo flight. The pilot flew for about 30 minutes in the airport traffic pattern and performed several takeoffs and landings. On a subsequent takeoff, he watched the engine and rotor rpm gauges as he made adjustments to the cyclic and collective controls. While preparing for a right turn to the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern, he decreased the throttle as he diverted his attention to outside to scan for traffic. When he looked back to the engine rpm, it had dropped below the "green zone" and the rotor rpm was following very quickly. The pilot immediately decreased the collective to the full down position and increased the throttle. About 400 feet above the ground, and in an autorotation, the pilot selected a field for a forced landing. The pilot stated that he did not perform a landing flare. The helicopter landed hard, bounced, and rolled onto its side. The pilot reported no mechanical abnormalities with the helicopter and stated that the accident was "a result of pilot error." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N175BM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N175BM-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N 1109, built 1977 (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: 1109 - Engines: Lycoming H10-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bell Helicopter Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 7N7, Pedricktown, NJ - Airport: 7N7, Spitfire Aerodrome, runway 7 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; private; medical: class 2; flight hours: 56 total, 4 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Observed at: ILG ## 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 20041230034909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041230034909A), Dec 30, 2004: Enstrm 280C, Pedrictown, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot made a normal takeoff and began a cyclic climb. He cleared the area to the right before turning crosswind and became distracted. When the pilot… 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.