# NTSB NYC89LA195: Enstrom 280C, N89JD, Milbridge, ME, August 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1989, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Milbridge, ME
- Location: 44.5292° N, 67.8949° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Milbridge, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5292&lon=-67.8949&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36462
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA195
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36462/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA195

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 3 INTAKE VALVE OUTER SPRING.  THE WATER (RIVER) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - failure,partial (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING THE PILOT'S PRIVATE HELIPORT IN MILBRIDGE, MAINE, THE HELICOPTER HAD A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. IT WAS THEN AUTOROTATED INTO THE NARRAGUAGUS RIVER AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE NUMBER 3 INTAKE VALVE OUTER SPRING, P/N LW11796, HAD BROKEN NEAR THE TOP OF THE VALVE STEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N89JD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1103
- Airframe hours: 1220
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harold Leighton
- Registered owner: Harold K Leighton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 5, 1989, 19 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 950 total, 350 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19890816037569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890816037569A), Aug 16, 1989: Enstrm 280C, Milbridge, ME, Substantial damage. Partial power loss on takeoff. Autorotated into a river. Intake valve spring broke,pieces scuffed cylinder walls.

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.