# NTSB WPR25LA010: Enstrom Helicopter 280C, N646H, Vale, OR, October 9, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 9, 2024, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Vale, OR - Coordinates: 44.206733, -117.48245 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2067&lon=-117.4825&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 195294 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195294/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195294 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA010 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain engine and rotor rpm during takeoff, that resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Main rotor system: main rotor blade system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210/cases.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210/cases.md) - [Main rotor system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046200): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046200/cases.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046200/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) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Enstrom Helicopter 280C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=3300505), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: 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) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter reported that, after completing an aerial application, he returned to the mix vehicle for an additional load. While reloading the helicopter, he noticed the wind direction was changing and “blowing harder” and may have shifted to a quartering tailwind. During takeoff from the mix vehicle, the engine and main rotor blade rpm started to decay. He aborted the takeoff and made a run on landing to an open field near the mix vehicle. During the landing the main rotor blades tilted aft and severed the tailboom. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N646H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N646H), registered now, S/N 1099, built 1977 (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: 1099 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 8764 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-EIAD 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 2024, 90 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 11, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 18,318 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 18,218 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KEUL, 48 nm away - METAR: KEUL 092156Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM CLR 26/02 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP138 T02610017 ## 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 20241009013799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241009013799A), Oct 9, 2024: Enstrom Helicopter Corp 280C, Vale, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot refueling on top of fuel truck Had a quartering tailwind, not enough power for takeoff Pilot drooped the rotor, had a hard landing and main rotor blade… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 8, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195294. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17844494&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 378 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17835867&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.