# NTSB SEA92LA073: Enstrom 280 FX, N377JD, Mount Vernon, WA, April 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1992, 15:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Mount Vernon, WA
- Coordinates: 48.420536, -122.42015 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4205&lon=-122.4202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41654
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41654/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA073

## Probable cause

A HARD LANDING BY THE PILOT, AFTER A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING LOCAL REVENUE SIGHTSEEING FLIGHTS AND THE ENGINE QUIT.  HE INITIATED A FORCED TO A CULTIVATED FIELD.  THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD AND ROLLED OVER.  EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N377JD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N377JD), registered now, S/N 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM 280 FX
- Registry model: [Enstrom 280FX](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-280fx) (registry code 3300506) (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: 2007
- Airframe hours: 539
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO360F1AD 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Bloomquist, Paul A.
- Registered owner: Bloomquist, Paul A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1992, 36 hours before
- Departed: NONE, MOUNT VERNON, WA
- Destination: NONE, MOUNT VERNON, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 474 total, 125 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: 75S, 3 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 19920411035179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920411035179A), Apr 11, 1992: Enstrm 280FX, Mount Vernon, WA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on sightseeing flight. Autorotated but rocked forward on landing. Used aft cylic. Rotors chopped boom.

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.