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NTSB Report
May 28, 1983 · Enstrom 280C · N56932
Opelousas, LA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 28, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Opelousas, LA
Aircraft
Enstrom 280C
Tail Number
N56932
Operator
Curtis Parkis Dotson
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW83FA251
THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO LIFT OFF TO A HOVER AND BEGAN AN ERRATIC HOVER. THE ACFT PITCHED UP AND SPUN THROWING THEPLT OUT AND FATALLY INJURING HIM. WITNESSES SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW THE PLT WAS GOING TO FLY THE HELICOPTER. THE OPINION WAS THAT IT WAS TO BE AN ENGINE RUN-UP ON THE GROUND. THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE HIS SEAT BELT FASTENED. AFTER HE WAS THROWNOUT THE ACFT FLEW SPINNING UP AND DOWN UNTIL IT IMPACTED IN A FLAT SPINNING MOTION AND SPUN ON THE GROUND UNTIL ROTATION STOPPED AFTER A FEW MINUTES. A WITNESS ENTERED THE COCKPIT AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ABOUT 87 FT FROM THE INITIAL LIFT-OFF POINT. THE PLT HAD ABOUT 8 HOURS SOLO IN HELICOPTERS AND HAD JUST BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT SIMILAR TO THE ONE ABOUT 1 WEEK EARLIER. IN THAT ACCIDENT HE WAS NOT INJURED. THIS HELICOPTER WAS BEING CHECKED BY THE PLT WITH THE IDEA OF PURCHASE.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO LIFT OFF TO A HOVER AND BEGAN AN ERRATIC HOVER. THE ACFT PITCHED UP AND SPUN THROWING THEPLT OUT AND FATALLY INJURING HIM. WITNESSES SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW THE PLT WAS GOING TO FLY THE HELICOPTER. THE OPINION WAS THAT IT WAS TO BE AN ENGINE RUN-UP ON THE GROUND. THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE HIS SEAT BELT FASTENED. AFTER HE WAS THROWNOUT THE ACFT FLEW SPINNING UP AND DOWN UNTIL IT IMPACTED IN A FLAT SPINNING MOTION AND SPUN ON THE GROUND UNTIL ROTATION STOPPED AFTER A FEW MINUTES. A WITNESS ENTERED THE COCKPIT AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ABOUT 87 FT FROM THE INITIAL LIFT-OFF POINT. THE PLT HAD ABOUT 8 HOURS SOLO IN HELICOPTERS AND HAD JUST BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT SIMILAR TO THE ONE ABOUT 1 WEEK EARLIER. IN THAT ACCIDENT HE WAS NOT INJURED. THIS HELICOPTER WAS BEING CHECKED BY THE PLT WITH THE IDEA OF PURCHASE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 CDT
Nearest AirportSt. Laundry Airport (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftEnstrom 280C
Tail NumberN56932
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCurtis Parkis Dotson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HI0-360-E1BD · Reciprocating · 205
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT