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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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December 8, 2014 · Enstrom 280FX · N409LH

Fort Lupton, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 8, 2014
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Fort Lupton, CO
Aircraft
Enstrom 280FX
Tail Number
N409LH
Operator
Mountain One Helicopters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN15LA084

The student pilot reported that, during a solo cross-country flight, the helicopter experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. The pilot performed an autorotation to a field. During the landing flare, the helicopter's tail struck the ground, which resulted in the main rotor blades flexing upward and severing the tail rotor from the tailboom. The helicopter then fell to the ground and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The operator test ran the engine and noted no anomalies; no further engine examination or testing was conducted.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

Full Narrative

On December 8, 2014, at 1115 mountain standard time, an Enstrom Helicopter, N409LH; experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. The student pilot performed an autorotation to a field. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The student pilot was uninjured. The helicopter was operated by Mountain One Helicopters under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight that was operating on a flight plan. The flight last departed from Greeley-Weld County Airport, Greeley, Colorado, and was destined to Platte Valley Airpark, Hudson, Colorado. During a solo cross country flight flown by a student pilot, the helicopter experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. The pilot performed an autorotation to a field. During landing flare, the helicopter tail struck the ground resulting in the main rotor blades flexing downwards, which severed the tail rotor boom. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and rotor blades. The pilot was uninjured. The engine was test run by the operator without the knowledge and permission of the National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-In-Charge or the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector assigned to the accident investigation. The operator stated the engine was run without any anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 MST
Nearest AirportPlatte Valley (2nm N)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEnstrom 280FX
Tail NumberN409LH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMountain One Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-F!AD · Reciprocating · 225
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 41 C
Altimeter30.32 inHg
Observation Time17:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data