# NTSB NYC90LA090: Enstrom 280, N493H, Thornton, PA, April 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1990, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Thornton, PA
- Coordinates: 39.8903, -75.52922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8903&lon=-75.5292&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 December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36630
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36630/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA090

## Probable cause

FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER CLIMB RATE AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A CONFINED AREA. FACTORS INCLUDE GUSTY WINDS AND HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not attained (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS TAKING OFF FROM A CONFINED AREA WITH ONE PASSENGER ONBOARD. THE PILOT REPORTED A POWER LOSS AT 40 FEET AGL AND MADE A 180 DEGREE TURN TO A DOWNWIND LANDING. THE FAA REPORTED THE HELICOPTER HIT A TREE AND LANDED HARD WITH DAMAGE TO TAIL ROTOR, TAIL BOOM AND MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT. THEY ALSO REPORTED THEY RAN THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT WITH NO LOAD ON IT AND SAID IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THEY REPORTED THE WINDS WERE VARIABLE AND THERE WERE GUSTS AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N493H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N493H-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 1014, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280
- Registry model: [Enstrom 280](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-280) (registry code 3300502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0-360-series) (registry code 41558, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1014
- Airframe hours: 2161
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-C1A 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: H. Pphillips Davies
- Registered owner: Ami, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1990, 9 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Thornburg

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,500 total, 5,400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19900422011739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900422011739A), Apr 22, 1990: Enstrm 280, Thornton, PA, Substantial damage. Departing a confined Private helipad,struck trees. Gusty wind and near gross weight contributed.

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.