# NTSB LAX86LA291: Enstrom EN-280-C, N5692P, Los Altos, CA, July 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1986, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Los Altos, CA
- Coordinates: 37.359771, -122.140625 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3598&lon=-122.1406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25212/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA291

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT DURING A PRACTICE AUTO ROTATIVE LANDING THE HELICOPTER LOST ROTOR RPM AND A HARD LANDING FOLLOWED. ON GROUND CONTACT, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAIL CONE, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE INSTRUCTOR FURTHER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE HELICOPTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5692P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5692P-2011-05-18), registration cancelled 2011-05-18, S/N 1185 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM EN-280-C
- Registry model: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-helicopter-280c) (registry code 3300505) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1185
- Airframe hours: 1556
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1BD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph R. Reinhard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 11, 1986, 24 hours before
- Departed: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,394 total, 215 in this make and model, 2,324 as pilot in command, 78 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860713032589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860713032589A), Jul 13, 1986: Enstrm 280C, Los Altos, CA, Substantial damage. The helicopter landed hard during autorotation practice. Instructor failed to monitor student actions closely.

## Other investigations on N5692P (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 LAX88FA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA140), Mar 27, 1988: Enstrom 280C (N5692P), Fremont, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE ENGINE TO MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM DUE TO A DRIVE BELT SLIPPAGE CAUSED BY A DRIVE PULLEY WORN BEYOND ITS SERVICE LIMIT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE FACTORY…

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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