Enstrom 280 accident near Hayden, ID
On June 24, 2020, an Enstrom 280 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Hayden, ID. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 24, 2020
- Place
- Hayden, ID
- Aircraft
- Enstrom 280 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 47.775°N, 116.896°W
- NTSB ID
- 20200623X23649
Official records · WPR20LA191
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn June 23, 2020, about 1701 Pacific daylight time, an Enstrom 280 FX helicopter, N280MM, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Hayden, Idaho. The student pilot was fatally injured, and the flight instructor was seriously injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor stated that, shortly after takeoff from Coeur d’Alene Airport, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, he temporarily leveled off the helicopter at an altitude of about 100 ft above ground level and accelerated to more than 100 mph to ensure that all the helicopter systems and indications were properly functioning. Shortly thereafter, the engine’s rpm “skyrocketed,” and the engine lost total power; the flight instructor could hear “backfiring.” The helicopter then lost altitude, and the flight instructor maneuvered the helicopter to avoid nearby power lines. Subsequently, the low rotor rpm horn sounded; at that time, the engine was still running. As terrain approached, the flight instructor pulled the collective and increased the throttle, but the helicopter had no rpm. Shortly afterward, the helicopter impacted terrain, the main rotor blades contacted the tailboom, and the helicopter spun about 180° before coming to rest. A postcrash fire ensued, which consumed most of the helicopter. According to witnesses, the helicopter was maneuvering at a low altitude before it crashed in an open field. Two witnesses stated that the helicopter was flying at or below the power line level. One witness stated that the tail of
Probable cause
The total loss of power while maneuvering at low altitude due to the detonation of two engine cylinders and damaged spark plugs.
More accidents in ID
- Boeing 737, Jan 9, 2021
- Cessna TU206, Jul 5, 2020
- Mitsubishi MU-2B-36, Jan 15, 1996
- Cessna T303, Mar 3, 1998
- Cessna TU-206-G, Jul 3, 1988
Browse: Idaho · 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.
