Pilot Debrief

ENSTROM 280 near Phoenix, AZ — 2016-01-25

Final reportWPR16LA057
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Date
2016-01-25
Location
Phoenix, AZ, USA
Airport
PHX
Aircraft
ENSTROM 280
Registration
N133AB
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The pilot departed in his recently-purchased helicopter and planned to climb to an altitude of 2,000 ft mean sea level (msl). As the helicopter climbed through 1,500 ft msl, the pilot felt an abrupt right yaw and observed the engine rpm drop to zero. The rotor rpm began to decay, and the pilot conducted an autorotation to a dry riverbed, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and main rotor blades. Neither postaccident examination of the helicopter nor a test run of the engine revealed any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after engine rpm dropped.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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