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NTSB Report
February 29, 1984 · Enstrom 280C · N51715
Middleton, ID
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 29, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Middleton, ID
Aircraft
Enstrom 280C
Tail Number
N51715
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA84FA063
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING A TEST FLT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT ROTATE ABOUT 180 DEGREES ABOUT ITS VERTICAL AXIS GO NOSE LOW AND DESCEND VERTICALLY TO THE GROUND. A NOISE CHANGE DESCRIBED AS A 'SPUTTER' OR TONE CHANGE' WAS HEARD DURING THIS MANEUVER. DURING THE POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE THE MAGNETO WAS FOUND TO BE LOOSE ENOUGH TO ROTATE THROUGH AN ARC OF ALMOST 60 DEGREES RADIALLY ABOUT ITS DRIVE SHAFT. NO OTHER DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND EXCEPT A PUNCTURE IN THE ENGINE CASE DIRECTLY BELOW THE LOWER SWASH PLATE ASSEMBLY.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING A TEST FLT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT ROTATE ABOUT 180 DEGREES ABOUT ITS VERTICAL AXIS GO NOSE LOW AND DESCEND VERTICALLY TO THE GROUND. A NOISE CHANGE DESCRIBED AS A 'SPUTTER' OR TONE CHANGE' WAS HEARD DURING THIS MANEUVER. DURING THE POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE THE MAGNETO WAS FOUND TO BE LOOSE ENOUGH TO ROTATE THROUGH AN ARC OF ALMOST 60 DEGREES RADIALLY ABOUT ITS DRIVE SHAFT. NO OTHER DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND EXCEPT A PUNCTURE IN THE ENGINE CASE DIRECTLY BELOW THE LOWER SWASH PLATE ASSEMBLY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftEnstrom 280C
Tail NumberN51715
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HI0-360-E1AD · Reciprocating · 190
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 6 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 25 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:47
Weather SourceWFAC