Enstrom 280F N811Z

Summary

On 15 March 2006 at about 18:00 local time, a Enstrom 280F registered N811Z was involved in an accident near Peetz, 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

15 March 2006 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Peetz, Colorado, United States

Coordinates

40.9353, -103.3636

Aircraft

Enstrom 280F

Registration

N811Z

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sidney → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN06CA048

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering resulting in an impact with terrain. Contributing factors were the gusty winds, downdrafts, and box canyon.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While heading in a northwest direction at the edge of a box canyon, the helicopter encountered a "very strong burst down draft," and began to descend into the box canyon. The pilot attempted to arrest the descent, but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the helicopter impacted the base of the canyon and came to rest upright.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.