# NTSB SEA83FYM02: Enstrom 280C, N5686Z, North Plains, OR, December 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1982, 05:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: North Plains, OR
- Coordinates: 45.670314, -123.020133 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6703&lon=-123.0201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72044
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FYM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72044/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FYM02

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 0530 PST, THE PILOT DEPARTED FROM HIS HOME AT RIDGE FIELD, WA ON A FLIGHT TO HILLSBORO, OR. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S INSTRUCTOR, THE NORMAL ROUTE USED FOR THIS TRIP WOULD BEEN TO PROCEED ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING TO CORNELIUS PASS, GO THROUGH THE PASS, THEN CONTINUE TO HILLSBORO. THE HELICOPTERCRASHED ABOUT 2.5 MI NORTHWEST OF CORNELIUS PASS. THE 0548 PST HILLSBORO WX WAS 1400 PTLY OBSCD, 3600 OVC, VIS 7 MI, TEMP 45, DEW PT 43, WIND 170 DEG AT 10 GS'TG 30 KTS. THE ELEVATION AT HILLSBORO WAS 204 FT, THE CRASH SITE WAS AT ABOUT 900 FT. THE PILOT'S INSTRUCTOR WAS SEARCHING THE AREA AT 0200. HE STATED THE CRASH SITE WAS OBSCURED BY CLOUDS, THERE WAS STRONG TURBULENCE, THE WIND WAS GUSTING FROM THE SOUTH AT 30 TO 40 KTS, AND THERE WAS HEAVY RAIN. AN EXAMINATION OF THE SITE REVEALED THE HELICOPTER HAD COLLIDED WITH TREES ON A STEEP SLOPE WHILE IN A TURN. NO PREIMPACT/ MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURES WERE FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE ATTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5686Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5686Z-2012-06-14), registration cancelled 2012-06-14, S/N 1166 (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
- Serial number: 1166
- Airframe hours: 645
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1AD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul David Zimmerly
- Registered owner: Paul David Zimmerly
- Departed: RIDGEFIELD, WA
- Destination: HILLSBORO, OR
- Airport: H10

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 328 total, 313 in this make and model, 294 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 113 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: H10, 8 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 19821217064399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821217064399A), Dec 17, 1982: Enstrm 280C, North Plains, OR, Destroyed. Helicopter flew into trees during a turn in hilly terrain. Dark night, rain and turbulence. No weather briefing.

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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