# NTSB LAX81FUJ74: Enstrom 280C, N535H, Mesa, AZ, June 25, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: June 25, 1981
- Place: Mesa, AZ · MESA, AZ
- Location: 33.4223° N, 111.8226° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mesa, AZ, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4223&lon=-111.8226&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 24, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125207
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FUJ74
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FUJ74

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2289  81/6/25    MESA,AZ             ENSTROM 280C        CR-  0  0  2  INSTRUCTIONAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0720                    N535H               PX-  0  0  0  DUAL                      AGE 42, 2000 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            53 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - FALCON
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MESA,AZ                     LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           DUAL STUDENT - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF FLIGHT
        REMARKS- PRACTICING AUTOROTATIVE LNDGS W PWR RECOVERY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N535H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N535H-2005-09-21), registration cancelled 2005-09-21, S/N 1030, built 1976 (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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Falcon

## 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 19810625036249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810625036249A), Jun 25, 1981: Enstrm 280C, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. Reported loud noise at termination of practice of autorotationl high ground impact forces. No mechanical defects.

## Other investigations on N535H (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN99LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA084), May 22, 1999: Enstrom 280C (N535H), Baggs, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot not maintaining the main rotor's RPM. Factor's were the high density altitude, and the mountainous/hilly terrain.

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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