# NTSB NYC87LA012: Enstrom 280C, N647H, Newport, RI, December 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1986, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Newport, RI
- Location: 41.4848° N, 71.3276° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Newport, RI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4848&lon=-71.3276&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30545
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30545/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA012

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - snow
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT DESCENDED AND COLLIDED WITH WATER WHEN THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN VISUAL GROUND REFERENCE WHEN WEATHER DETERIORATED. NO PLT ACC REPORT WAS RECEIVED. PLT TIME WAS NOT REPORTED OR AVAILABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N647H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N647H-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 1087, built 1977 (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: 1087
- Engines: LYCOMING HI0-36E1AD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Rhedom Realty Corp.
- Registered owner: Rhedom Realty Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OCEANCLIFF, RI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19861211069419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861211069419A), Dec 11, 1986: Enstrm 280C, Newport, RI, Substantial damage. VFR pilot flew into heavy snow over water at night. Rotor tip struck the water. No record of weather briefing.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.