# NTSB NYC90LA002: Enstrom 280FX, N413DB, Berlin, NY, October 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1989, 16:25 local (20:25 UTC)
- Place: Berlin, NY
- Coordinates: 42.659576, -73.32975 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6596&lon=-73.3298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36560
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36560/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA002

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - not maintained, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s)
  - rotor rpm - inadequate
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command
- Roll over, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS CRUISING AT 1000 FT AGL, WHEN A POWER LOSS OCCURRED.  THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING AN AUTOROTATIVE APPROACH TO LAND, HE TRIED TO STRETCH HIS GLIDE IN ORDER TO AVOID TREES, BUT RAN OUT OF SUFFICIENT ROTOR RPM BEFORE TOUCHDOWN.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE RIGHT SKID COLLAPSED DURING A LANDING IN A UNEVEN FIELD AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON ITS SIDE.  NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N413DB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280FX
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2007
- Airframe hours: 355
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-F1AD 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Klein
- Registered owner: Dove Air, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1989, 10 hours before
- Departed: 5B5, BENNINGTON, VT
- Destination: POU, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,495 total, 175 in this make and model, 5,400 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19891001037309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891001037309A), Oct 1, 1989: Enstrm 280FX, Berlin, NY, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Autorotated but lost rotor RPM missing trees. Hard landing. Rolled over. Possible water in fuel

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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