# NTSB LAX83LA248: Enstrom 280C, N51763, Goshen, CA, May 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1983, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Goshen, CA
- Location: 36.3493° N, 119.4206° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Goshen, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3493&lon=-119.4206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23724
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA248
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23724/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA248

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,lubrication - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

ABOUT 5 MIN AFTER TAKING OFF, THE PLT NOTICED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER TO THE TAIL ROTOR. HE MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN ALFALFA FIELD. HE REPORTED THAT DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING, HE HAD INSUFFICIENT COLLECTIVE TO FLARE PROPERLY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM, AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR AFT DRIVE COUPLING, PN 28-13609, HAD FAILED. ALL OF THE INTERNAL GEAR TEETH ON THE FEMALE PORTION OF THE COUPLING WERE STRIPPED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF INADEQUATE LUBRICATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51763](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51763-2017-06-30), registration cancelled 2017-06-30, S/N 1153, built 1978 (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: 1153
- Airframe hours: 1148
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1BD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Norman L. Clark
- Registered owner: Clark Bros., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 18, 1983, 47 hours before
- Departed: VIS, VISALIA, CA
- Destination: DOS PALOS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,076 total, 261 in this make and model, 985 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F

## Other investigations on N51763 (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 FTW96LA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA291), Jul 3, 1996: Enstrom 280C (N51763), Castle Rock, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: Total failure of the magneto. A factor was the pilot operating the helicopter with a known deficiency.

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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