Enstrom 280C N5693D

Summary

On 16 April 1998 at about 21:45 local time, a Enstrom 280C registered N5693D, operated by Robert B. Welch, was involved in an accident near Castle Rock, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 April 1998 at 21:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Castle Rock, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

39.3704, -104.8501

Aircraft

Enstrom 280C

Registration

N5693D

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Robert B. Welch

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Englewood → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA183

Nobody was injured.

Malfunction of the engine-driven fuel pump. Factors were unsuitable terrain, soft ground, and a berm.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight instructor was conducting an introductory flight with a new student. While demonstrating emergency procedures at approximately 400 feet above the ground, the helicopter lost engine power. Determining the ground unsuitable for landing, he turned south and aimed for a flat area of terrain. He cushioned the landing with the collective, then sank 6 inches into the ground. Examination of the engine disclosed no abnormalities, however a postaccident functional test of the engine revealed a malfunction in the engine-driven fuel pump. When the electrically-driven boost pump was switched to the OFF position, power fluctuations were noted. All three rotor blades were bent, and the tail boom was severed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.