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NTSB Report
April 14, 1992 · Enstrom 280C · N51782
Iron Mountain, MI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 14, 1992
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Iron Mountain, MI
Aircraft
Enstrom 280C
Tail Number
N51782
Operator
Loewen John L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI92LA129
THE PILOT REPORTED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. AN AUTOROTATION TO A FIELD RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. INSPECTION OF THE HELICOPTER DISCLOSED 22CC OF WATER REMAINING IN THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM CLOSE TO THE AIR FILTER. ONCE THE WATER WAS REMOVED, THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY. FUEL ABOARD THE HELICOPTER WAS THE PROPER GRADE AND FREE OF CONTAMINANTS. FOUR DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, A HEAVY SNOW PASSED THROUGH THE AREA WHERE THE HELICOPTER WAS PARKED OUTSIDE AND UNCOVERED. THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WAS THE FIRST SINCE THE SNOW STORM.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PRESENCE OF WATER IN THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. AN AUTOROTATION TO A FIELD RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. INSPECTION OF THE HELICOPTER DISCLOSED 22CC OF WATER REMAINING IN THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM CLOSE TO THE AIR FILTER. ONCE THE WATER WAS REMOVED, THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY. FUEL ABOARD THE HELICOPTER WAS THE PROPER GRADE AND FREE OF CONTAMINANTS. FOUR DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, A HEAVY SNOW PASSED THROUGH THE AREA WHERE THE HELICOPTER WAS PARKED OUTSIDE AND UNCOVERED. THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WAS THE FIRST SINCE THE SNOW STORM.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftEnstrom 280C
Tail NumberN51782
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLoewen John L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-E1AD · Reciprocating · 205
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind315° @ 5 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingOvercast 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO