# NTSB WPR14CA101: Enstrom Helicopter 280C, N51683, Showlow, AZ, January 21, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 21, 2014, 16:35 local (23:35 UTC) - Place: Showlow, AZ - Coordinates: 34.264446, -110.007774 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2644&lon=-110.0078&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 88697 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88697/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88697 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA101 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor RPM during the takeoff run in a high density altitude environment, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that just after takeoff he hovered the helicopter about two feet above the ground before starting a northwesterly takeoff run over an area of grass-covered, uneven terrain. The pilot noted that during the takeoff run, the main rotor RPM began to decay, so he added engine throttle to correct for the RPM decline. The helicopter subsequently descended and during touchdown, the left main landing gear skid collapsed. The helicopter rolled to the left, and the main rotor blades struck the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor drive system, tail boom, and fuselage. The pilot reported that the estimated gross weight of the helicopter at takeoff was 2,300 pounds, or approximately 50 pounds under the maximum gross weight of 2,350 pounds. The density altitude was calculated to be 7,015 feet mean sea level. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that just after takeoff he hovered the helicopter about two feet above the ground before starting a northwesterly takeoff run over an area of grass-covered, uneven terrain. The pilot noted that during the takeoff run, the main rotor RPM began to decay, so he added engine throttle to correct for the RPM decline. The helicopter subsequently descended and during touchdown, the left main landing gear skid collapsed. The helicopter rolled to the left, and the main rotor blades struck the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor drive system, tail boom, and fuselage. The pilot reported that the estimated gross weight of the helicopter at takeoff was 2,300 pounds, or approximately 50 pounds under the maximum gross weight of 2,350 pounds. The density altitude was calculated to be 7,015 feet mean sea level. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51683](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51683-2014-09-05), registration cancelled 2014-09-05, S/N 1110, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ENSTROM HELICOPTER CORP 280C (C) - 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: 1110 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 1285 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 SER 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jeffery A. Steele, doing business as Air West Academy - Registered owner: John J Karel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 2013, 8 hours before - Departed: SOW, Showlow, AZ - Destination: GEU, GLENDALE, AZ - Airport: SOW, Show Low Rgnl ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 23, 2013; seat: left; restraint: none; flight hours: 1,171 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,090 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KSOW ## 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 20140121002099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140121002099A), Jan 21, 2014: Enstrom Helicopter Corp 280C, Show Low, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot was flying with one passenger to glendale airport, AZ from double eagle airport, NM when he made a fuel stop at Show Low airport, AZ. After topping off… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 28, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88697. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 482 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412800&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Eyewitness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 165 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412801&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Eyewitness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Main Wreckage From Right Side (Photo Courtesy of Airport Operations) (item 3, .PDF, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412802&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Main%20Wreckage%20From%20Right%20Side%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Airport%20Operations)-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Main Wreckage From Left Side (Photo Courtesy of Airport Operations) (item 4, .PDF, 291 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412803&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Main%20Wreckage%20From%20Left%20Side%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Airport%20Operations)-Master.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.