# NTSB UNK78X0129: Enstrom 280C, N530H, Lester, WA, July 28, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 28, 1978
- Place: Lester, WA · LESTER, WA
- Location: 47.2093° N, 121.4940° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lester, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2093&lon=-121.4940&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140696
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=UNK78X0129
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK78X0129

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2223  78/7/28    LESTER,WA           ENSTROM 280C        CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 30, 2916
        TIME - 0530                    N530H               PX-  1  0  0  AERIAL SURVEY             TOTAL HOURS, 286 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LESTER,WA                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: GO-AROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DELAYED IN INITIATING GO-AROUND
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR R.P.M.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           TERRAIN - ROUGH WATER
        REMARKS- ENG AND ROTOR RPM DECAYED DUE TO OVERRICH MIXTURE CAUSED BY MANIFOLD VALVE OPENING DUE EXC M/P.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N530H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N530H-1981-12-18), registration cancelled 1981-12-18, S/N 1025 (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: Destroyed

## 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 19780728026319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780728026319A), Jul 28, 1978: Enstrm 280, Lester,Wa, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Eng and rotor RPM decayed due to overrich mixture caused by manifoldvalve opening due exc m/p.

## Other investigations on N530H (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 SEA76FYC49](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76FYC49), May 17, 1976: Enstrom F-28A (N530H), Prairie City, OR, 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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