# NTSB SEA84LA009: Enstrom 280C, N222NT, Portland, OR, October 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 9, 1983, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Portland, OR
- Coordinates: 45.58044, -122.700973 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5804&lon=-122.7010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39845
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39845/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA009

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE HAD MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO THE WIND AFTER LIFT-OFF & HAD JUST CLEARED A FENCE AT 40 TO 50 FT AGL, WHEN HE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. HE THEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT TO CLEAR POWER LINES. SINCE THE HELICOPTER DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO CLEAR THE LINES, THE RIGHT TURN WAS CONTINUED TO LAND BETWEEN 2 ROWS OF CARS. DURING THE LANDING, THE TAIL SECTION OF THE HELICOPTER STRUCK AN UNOCCUPIED PICKUP TRUCK. NO CAUSE FOR A POWER LOSS WAS FOUND DURING AN EXAM OF THE ENG.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N222NT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222NT-1990-10-09), registration cancelled 1990-10-09, S/N 1027 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280C
- Registry model: [Enstrom F280](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f280) (registry code 3300510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1027
- Airframe hours: 976
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1AD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pilot Personnel International, doing business as 1600
- Registered owner: Wallace Floor Coverings
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1983, 92 hours before
- Airport: NONE, None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 660 total, 5 in this make and model, 588 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 6 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 19831009053539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831009053539A), Oct 9, 1983: Enstrm 280C, Portland, OR, Substantial damage. Reported a power loss on initial climb. Tail boom struck a pickup on a hard landing in a parking lot. Cause unknown

## Other investigations on N222NT (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA79DYM65](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79DYM65), Sep 17, 1979: Enstrom 280C (N222NT), Vancouver, WA, substantial damage

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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