Enstrom 280F accident near Jordan Valley, OR
On October 25, 2019, an Enstrom 280F (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Jordan Valley, OR. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- October 25, 2019
- Place
- Jordan Valley, OR
- Aircraft
- Enstrom 280F · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 43.395°N, 117.047°W
- NTSB ID
- 20191026X22107
Official records · WPR20FA016
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn October 25, 2019, about 1541 mountain daylight time, an Enstrom 280F helicopter, N280F, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Jordan Valley, Oregon. The pilot was fatally injured, and the pilot-rated passenger sustained serious injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the passenger, the intent of the flight was to fly from their home base of Caldwell Industrial Airport (EUL), Caldwell, Idaho, toward the Owyhee Mountain Range and Reservoir, a trip they had taken multiple times before. Upon her arrival at the airport that afternoon, the pilot had already moved the helicopter out of the hangar. A short time later, they boarded and taxied to the local fueling facility, where the pilot serviced the helicopter with the addition of 22.5 gallons of fuel. The passenger stated that the departure was to the southwest and was uneventful, and after arriving over the Owyhee Mountain Range, they observed some wild horses. The pilot performed an orbit over the horses while the passenger took photos (See figure 1, inset). Once complete, they proceeded toward the southwest. A few minutes later, the pilot calmly stated that the "rpm" was low. Due to the tone of his voice, the passenger was not initially concerned, and continued to look out of the window; however, a short time later, the pilot appeared to have become nervous and began manipulating (“working”) the collective control. There was no change in the sound or feel of the helicopter, but when the passenger looke
Probable cause
A partial loss of engine power due to a worn engine air induction hose, and a subsequent uncontrolled descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel to adequately inspect the hose, and the pilot’s decision to fly the helicopter at a speed and altitude that provided limited time to enter and establish an autorotation following the loss of power.
More accidents in OR
- Cessna T207A, Aug 21, 1986
- Piper PA-28-180, Sep 1, 1984
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- Piper PA 46-310P, Apr 7, 2017
- Cessna 172, Jun 23, 2012
Browse: Oregon · Enstrom aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
