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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 22, 1999 · Enstrom 280C · N535H

Baggs, WY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 22, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Baggs, WY
Aircraft
Enstrom 280C
Tail Number
N535H
Operator
J and R Enterprise
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN99LA084

The pilot said that they had just shot a coyote and were landing to pick it up. The coyote lay between two ridges, and as he approached the site, the main rotor RPM began to decay. The pilot said that there wasn't sufficient altitude to recover, and he landed on the flattest place he could find. He said they landed hard, and the main rotor blades 'sheared off the tail boom.' The density altitude was estimated to be 7,500 feet.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot not maintaining the main rotor's RPM. Factor's were the high density altitude, and the mountainous/hilly terrain.

Full Narrative

On May 22, 1999, approximately 0630 mountain daylight time, an Enstrom 280C helicopter, N535H, was substantially damaged during a hard landing near Baggs, Wyoming. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The helicopter was being operated by J. and R. Enterprise, of Casper, Wyoming, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local coyote hunting flight which originated approximately 30 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot said that they had just shot a coyote and were landing to pick it up. The coyote lay between two ridges, and as he approached the site, the main rotor RPM began to decay. The pilot said that there wasn't sufficient altitude to recover, so he landed on the flattest place he could find. He said they landed hard, and the main rotor blades "sheared off the tail boom." The density altitude was estimated to be 7,500 feet.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEnstrom 280C
Tail NumberN535H
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJ and R Enterprise
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-EIBD · Reciprocating · 205
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 72 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data