# NTSB WPR09LA261: Enstrom Helicopter 280C, N5699N, Ogden, UT, May 25, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 2009, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Ogden, UT - Coordinates: 41.196666, -112.013336 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1967&lon=-112.0133&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 11, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Salt Lake City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73897 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA261 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73897/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73897 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA261 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of the helicopter's collective both during the takeoff sequence and while attempting remedial action in response to an engine over-boost condition, which resulted in a hard precautionary landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause) - [Rotorcraft flight control: main rotor control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046710): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that just after passing through takeoff translational lift, he noticed that the reciprocating engine was being over-boosted and that the main rotor blade RPM was drooping. He therefore lowered the collective in an attempt to lower the boost and to regain main rotor rpm, but the helicopter began to sink at a rate that made it necessary for him to immediately transition to a landing. After touching down on the ground, the skids partially collapsed, the helicopter pitched forward, and the main rotor blades flexed downward far enough to sever the tail boom. According to the pilot, the engine seemed to be running strong and smooth, and there did not appear to be any problems with the flight control system. No anomalies were found during a post-accident inspection of the airframe, nor during the engine test run. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 2009, about 1200 mountain daylight time, an Enstrom 280C helicopter, N5699N, impacted the terrain during an attempted precautionary landing just after taking off from Hinckley Airport, Ogden, Utah. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the helicopter, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The local 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal pleasure flight was taking place in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot of the reciprocating engine helicopter, just after he passed through translational lift he noticed that the engine was being over-boosted and that the main rotor blade RPM was drooping. He therefore lowered the collective in an attempt to lower the boost and to regain main rotor rpm, but the helicopter began to sink at a rate that made it necessary for the pilot to immediately transition to a landing. After touching down on the ground, the skids partially collapsed, the helicopter pitched forward, and the main rotor blades flexed downward far enough to sever the tail boom. According to the pilot, the engine seemed to be running strong and smooth, and there did not appear to be any problems with the flight control system. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector inspected the helicopter and monitored a post-accident test run of the engine, and he reported that there were no anomalies with either the airframe or the engine. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5699N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5699N), registered now, S/N 1220, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ENSTROM HELICOPTER CORP 280C - Registry model: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-helicopter-280c) (registry code 3300505) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HI0-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hi0-360-series) (registry code 41553, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1220 - Airframe hours: 1140 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 SER 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Duffy James W - Registered owner: Duffy James W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2008 - Departed: Ogden, UT - Destination: KOGD, Ogden, UT - Airport: KOGD, Hinckley Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 8, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 1,205 total, 64 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg ## 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 20090525006409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090525006409A), May 25, 2009: Enstrm 280C, Ogden, UT, Substantial damage. On may 25, 2009 at 1130 MST an Enstrom F28-280C N5699N tried to depart Ogden, UT (ogd) for a part 91 pleasure flight. As reported by the PIC the preflight and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 11, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73897. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315016&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315017&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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.