# NTSB LAX94LA239: Enstrom 280C, N123MT, California City, CA, June 5, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1994, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: California City, CA
- Coordinates: 35.150074, -117.920082 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1501&lon=-117.9201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28760/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA239

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty wind conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain control of the helicopter.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - weather condition - gusts
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, hover

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the helicopter was in a hover in preparation for takeoff when a strong wind gust caused him to lose control.  The helicopter subsequently rolled over.  The airport manager reported that the winds at the time were from 090 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 30 knots.

## Factual narrative

On June 5, 1994, at 1300 Pacific daylight time, an Enstrom 280C helicopter, N123MT, rolled over from a hover following a loss of control by the pilot at California City, California.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation.  The helicopter sustained substantial damage.  Neither the certificated private pilot nor his one passenger were injured.  The flight was originating at the time of the mishap as a cross-country flight to the Whitman airport, Pacoima, California.

In a verbal statement, the pilot reported that the helicopter was in a hover in preparation for takeoff when a strong wind gust caused him to lose control.  The helicopter subsequently rolled over.  The airport manager reported that the winds at the time were from 090 degrees at 20 knots, with gusts to 30 knots.

The pilot refused to complete and submit a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123MT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123MT-2022-02-05), registration cancelled 2022-02-05, S/N 1063, 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
- Serial number: 1063
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Boyd J. Bailey
- Registered owner: Boyd J. Bailey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: L71
- Destination: WHP, PACOIMA, CA
- Airport: L71, California City

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 22 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: WJF, 25 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 19940605013769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940605013769A), Jun 5, 1994: Enstrm 280C, California City, CA, Substantial damage. Hovering in strong gusty wind. Lost control. Helicopter rolled over. Possible dynamic rollover a factor.

## Other investigations on N123MT (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 SEA78DYA16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DYA16), Jul 19, 1978: Enstrom 280C (N123MT), Boise, ID, substantial damage

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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