# NTSB SEA78FTI10: Enstrom 280C, N638H, Trout Creek, MT, April 5, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 5, 1978
- Place: Trout Creek, MT · TROUT CREEK, MT
- Location: 47.8342° N, 115.5837° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Trout Creek, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8342&lon=-115.5837&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 142760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA78FTI10
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FTI10

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0687   78/4/5    TROUT CREEK,MT      ENSTROM 280C        CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             STUDENT, AGE 47, 60 TOTAL
        TIME - 1530                    N638H               PX-  0  0  0  OTHER                     HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          SAND POINT,ID              UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED          TROUT CREEK,MT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: ROLL-ON/RUN-ON
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - SNOW
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  ADVERSE/UNFAVORABLE WEATHER
                                  SUSPECTED MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          PARTIAL OBSCURATION                                      UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1 MILE OR LESS                                            SLEET, SNOW
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      38
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          270                                                       20
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- CRUISING TIMBER. GUSTING TO 38K.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N638H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N638H-1989-05-01), registration cancelled 1989-05-01, S/N 1090 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280C
- Registry model: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-helicopter-280c) (registry code 3300505) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19780405007019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780405007019A), Apr 5, 1978: Enstrm 280, Trout Creek, MT, Substantial damage. Cruising timber. Gusting to 38K.

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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