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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

April 29, 2002 · Enstrom 280FX · N383MA

Alsatia, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 29, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Alsatia, LA
Aircraft
Enstrom 280FX
Tail Number
N383MA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW02LA138

The pilot landed the helicopter in a corn field and disembarked from the helicopter while the rotors were still under power. Subsequently, he said that a "gust of wind" came and the main rotor severed the tail boom.

NTSB Probable Cause

The main rotor contact to the tail boom resulting from the pilot leaving the helicopter unattended while the rotors were engaged.

Full Narrative

On April 29, 2002, approximately 1830 central daylight time, an Enstrom 280FX Helicopter, N383MA, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when the main rotor blades struck the tail boom while standing with rotors idling in the vicinity of Alsatia, Louisiana. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Monroe, Louisiana, at 1730. In an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot stated that he landed in a corn field and disembarked from the helicopter while the rotors were still under power. Subsequently, he said that a "gust of wind" came and the main rotor severed the tail boom. After the interview, the NTSB investigator-in-charge requested that the pilot provide the NTSB with additional information. The pilot wrote a letter back and denied that this event was an accident, thus did not provide a NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The NTSB IIC requested information from the helicopter's manufacturer to determine if the conditions that the pilot reported could have resulted in the main rotor to strike the tail boom. They were not aware of an occurrence where a gust of wind resulted in the main rotor blades to make contact and sever the tail boom.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo

Aircraft

AircraftEnstrom 280FX
Tail NumberN383MA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-F1AD · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Unknown · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 5 kt, gusting 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data