# NTSB LAX83LA134: Enstrom F280C, N5691H, Concord, CA, March 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1983, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Concord, CA
- Coordinates: 39.369491, -123.800788 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3695&lon=-123.8008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23638
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23638/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA134

## 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
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A TREE DURING A LANDING AFTER A DECAY IN ROTOR RPM DURING TAKEOFF. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE ACFT WAS FACING SOUTHEAST PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AND THE PILOT ESTIMATED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 8 KTS. FOLLOWING A PEDAL TURN INTO THE WIND AFTER TAKEOFF MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE WAS EXECUTED TO CLEAR A TREE THAT WAS 10 FT HIGHER THAN THE SADDLE BETWEEN 2 RIDGES WHERE THE TAKEOFF TOOK PLACE. NEAR THE TOP OF THE TREE THERE WAS A RAPID DECAY OF ROTOR RPM. DUE TO TERRAIN CONSIDERATIONS THE PILOT CHOSE NOT TO LOWER COLLECTIVE. THE ACFT WAS FLYING NEAR A STEEP SLOPE SO THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN THE OAK TREE TO PREVENT A DOWNHILL ROLL. HE DID NOT FLARE TO PREVENT BALLOONING OVER THE TREE. THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 12 LBS. UNDER MAX GROSS WT DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 2000 FT. DURING THE LANDING THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE 3 OCCUPANTS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5691H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5691H-2013-04-23), registration cancelled 2013-04-23, S/N 1175, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F280C
- 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: 1175
- Airframe hours: 1030
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-EIAD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Air Executive
- Registered owner: Telecommunications Properties
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1982, 23 hours before
- Destination: CCR, CONCORD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,810 total, 620 in this make and model, 1,560 as pilot in command, 147 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Observed at: CCR, 9 nm away

## 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 19830311007329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830311007329A), Mar 11, 1983: Enstrm 280C, Concord, CA, Substantial damage. Struck a tree on an attempted takeoff from a saddle in the hills. Insufficient egress area.

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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