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NTSB Report
March 15, 2025 · Enstrom 280FX · N402TA
Waterford, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 15, 2025
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Waterford, CA
Aircraft
Enstrom 280FX (2006)
Tail Number
N402TA
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
WPR25LA112
A witness video showed the helicopter flying very low over a lake before it impacted the water. During postaccident interviews with news outlets, the pilot stated he and a passenger were flying the helicopter low over clear water, when his “depth perception got a little off”, and he drove the helicopter into the water. The helicopter fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades were substantially damaged. The pilot did not complete a NTSB Form 6120.1 Accident/Incident Report.
NTSB Probable Cause
Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Incorrect use/operation
Full Narrative
A witness video showed the helicopter flying very low over a lake before it impacted the water. During postaccident interviews with news outlets, the pilot stated he and a passenger were flying the helicopter low over clear water, when his “depth perception got a little off”, and he drove the helicopter into the water. The helicopter fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades were substantially damaged. The pilot did not complete a NTSB Form 6120.1 Accident/Incident Report.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftEnstrom 280FX
Tail NumberN402TA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 71 · Unknown · Minor
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 4200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 F / 45 F
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time10:53
Weather SourceWFAC