# NTSB NYC97LA097: Enstrom 280-C, N613LG, Clarksburg, NJ, May 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 1997, 11:47 local (15:47 UTC) - Place: Clarksburg, NJ - Location: 40.1887° N, 74.4407° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Clarksburg, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1887&lon=-74.4407&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39362 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39362/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA097 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the hangar. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - weather condition - tailwind - object - hangar/airport building (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area ## Analysis The main rotor blades struck a building after the helicopter lifted off from a dolly. The pilot reported that he backed the helicopter out of an aircraft hangar aboard an electrically powered dolly. He said the dolly batteries were not charged and that he used a battery charger and an extension cord to move the helicopter outside. The pilot explained that he intended to start the helicopter, warm it up, and check aircraft systems while the batteries charged on the dolly. Once the batteries were charged, he would move the helicopter a further distance from the hangar for takeoff. The pilot had no recollection of the accident other than sitting in the helicopter with the engine and rotors operating. Examination of the accident site revealed the helicopter was facing the hangar, oriented 155 degrees magnetic, with the tail into '...a very strong wind.' The main rotor blades struck approximately 6 inches above the door opening and penetrated the building a distance of 2 feet, 7 inches. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 1997, at 1147 eastern daylight time, an Enstrom 280-C helicopter, N613LG, was destroyed when the main rotor blades collided with a building after lifting from a dolly at the Perl Acres Airport, Clarksburg, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he backed the helicopter out of an aircraft hangar aboard an electrically powered dolly. He said the dolly batteries were not charged and that he used a battery charger and an extension cord to move the helicopter outside. The pilot explained that he intended to start the helicopter, warm it up, and check aircraft systems while the batteries charged on the dolly. Once the batteries were charged, he would move the helicopter a further distance from the hangar for takeoff. The pilot stated that he remembered sitting in the helicopter with the engine running and the rotors turning. He said he next remembered riding in an ambulance. He stated that he did not recall the accident. When asked to estimate the distance from the turning rotor blades to the hanger, the pilot said he had "...no idea." The pilot stated that he wanted to "...check out the dolly..." and that he was unclear if he intended to fly. He said that he remembered calling flight service. When questioned about the forecast winds he responded: "...8 to ten knots, I don't recall exactly." In a telephone interview, a Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector who responded to the scene stated that the helicopter came to rest in an upright position on the dolly. The helicopter dolly was powered by the extension cord because the batteries were not charged. He said that with the extension cord fully extended, the helicopter blades were only inches from the hanger with the rotors turning. The Inspector stated the helicopter was facing the hangar, oriented 155 degrees magnetic, with the tail into "...a very strong wind." He said an examination of the helicopter and the corrugated metal hanger revealed that the main rotor blades struck approximately 6 inches above the door opening and penetrated the building a distance of 2 feet, 7 inches. At Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 25 miles west of Clarksburg, the winds were reported to be from 310 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 22 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N613LG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N613LG-1998-01-23), registration cancelled 1998-01-23, S/N 1145 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Enstrom 280-C - Registry model: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-helicopter-280c) (registry code 3300505) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1145 - Airframe hours: 1556 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-EIAD 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: No damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ben Litton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 23, 1997, 24 hours before - Departed: 46NJ - Airport: 46NJ, Perl Acres ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 398 total, 56 in this make and model, 340 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 14 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PNE, 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 19970521011649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970521011649A), May 21, 1997: Enstrm 280C, Clarksburg, NJ, Destroyed. Helcopter crashed during high wind conditions. 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.