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NTSB Report
August 16, 1989 · Enstrom 280C · N89JD
Milbridge, ME
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Milbridge, ME
Aircraft
Enstrom 280C
Tail Number
N89JD
Operator
Harold Leighton
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC89LA195
SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING THE PILOT'S PRIVATE HELIPORT IN MILBRIDGE, MAINE, THE HELICOPTER HAD A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. IT WAS THEN AUTOROTATED INTO THE NARRAGUAGUS RIVER AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE NUMBER 3 INTAKE VALVE OUTER SPRING, P/N LW11796, HAD BROKEN NEAR THE TOP OF THE VALVE STEM.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 3 INTAKE VALVE OUTER SPRING. THE WATER (RIVER) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Full Narrative
SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING THE PILOT'S PRIVATE HELIPORT IN MILBRIDGE, MAINE, THE HELICOPTER HAD A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. IT WAS THEN AUTOROTATED INTO THE NARRAGUAGUS RIVER AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE NUMBER 3 INTAKE VALVE OUTER SPRING, P/N LW11796, HAD BROKEN NEAR THE TOP OF THE VALVE STEM.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftEnstrom 280C
Tail NumberN89JD
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHarold Leighton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360 · Reciprocating · 205
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO