Enstrom 280C N51683

Summary

On 21 January 2014 at about 23:35 local time, a Enstrom 280C registered N51683, operated by Jeffery A. Steele, was involved in an accident near Showlow, Arizona, 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

21 January 2014 at 23:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Showlow, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Show Low Rgnl (SOW)

Coordinates

34.2644, -110.0078

Aircraft

Enstrom 280C

Registration

N51683

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1977

Engines

1

Operator

Jeffery A. Steele

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Showlow → Glendale

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR14CA101

Nobody was injured.

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.

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

Read the full NTSB 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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.