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WPR25LA010

2024-10-09 · Vale, Oregon, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N646H

Make / Model
ENSTROM HELICOPTER CORP 280C
Year of manufacture
1977 · 47 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING HI0-360 SER (205 hp)
Seats / Engines
3 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19970210
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A87C34

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain engine and rotor rpm during takeoff, that resulted in a hard landing.

Factual narrative

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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Aircraft-Aircraft propeller/rotor-Main rotor system-Main rotor blade system-Capability exceeded
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft propeller/rotor-Main rotor system-(general)-Incorrect use/operation
  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine (reciprocating)-(general)-Incorrect use/operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2024_WPR25LA010.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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