Enstrom 280 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 86 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 11, 2007 | Taylorsville, KY | N93GP | Incident | substantial | The pilot's improper prefight inspection of the helicopter. |
| Jul 15, 2006 | Danville, WV | N5691B | Minor | substantial |
A partial failure of the override clutch assembly. A contributing factor to the accident was the manufacturer's inadequate inspection procedures of th…A partial failure of the override clutch assembly. A contributing factor to the accident was the manufacturer's inadequate inspection procedures of the override clutch assembly following a tail rotor strike. |
| Mar 15, 2006 | Peetz, CO | N811Z | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering resulting in an impact with terrain. Contributing factors were the gusty winds, do…The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering resulting in an impact with terrain. Contributing factors were the gusty winds, downdrafts, and box canyon. |
| Aug 12, 2005 | Saulsville, WV | N5691B | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's inadequate remedial action following a loss of control during the landing approach. |
| Dec 30, 2004 | Pedricktown, NJ | N175BM | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the takeoff and his failure to flare during the autorotation. |
| Nov 14, 2004 | Galloo Island, NY | N51739 | Incident | substantial |
A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the pilot's improper decision to operate the helicopter outside the height velo…A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the pilot's improper decision to operate the helicopter outside the height velocity curve. |
| Jun 15, 2003 | West Branch, MI | N5695D | Serious (1) | substantial | The loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the connecting rod cap. A related factor was the unsuitable terrain the pilot encountered. |
| May 10, 2003 | Panama City Bch, FL | N51752 | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm and altitude during takeoff which resulted in the helicopter impacting the water during a descent i…The pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm and altitude during takeoff which resulted in the helicopter impacting the water during a descent in an attempt to maintain rotor rpm. |
| Mar 02, 2003 | Ruston, LA | N383MA | Incident | substantial | The separation of the upper tail cone as a result of a fractured bolt due to fatigue. |
| Aug 25, 2002 | COOPERSVILLE, MI | N51689 | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the transmission wires. Additional factors were the transmission wires and the sunglare. |
| Apr 29, 2002 | Alsatia, LA | N383MA | Incident | substantial | The main rotor contact to the tail boom resulting from the pilot leaving the helicopter unattended while the rotors were engaged. |
| Nov 22, 2001 | Tallassee, AL | N280XF | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The failure of the pilot to maintain a safe altitude above terrain and maintain a visual lookout resulting in the helicopter colliding with power tran…The failure of the pilot to maintain a safe altitude above terrain and maintain a visual lookout resulting in the helicopter colliding with power transmission lines and crashing into a river. A factor in the accident was the power transmission lines not being marked. |
| Aug 08, 2001 | OURAY, CO | N724BF | Incident | substantial |
the partial loss of engine power due to the slippage of the wastegate linkage as a result of the plunger on the linkage being undertorqued by an unkno…the partial loss of engine power due to the slippage of the wastegate linkage as a result of the plunger on the linkage being undertorqued by an unknown person. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| Jun 23, 2000 | SPRINGDALE, OH | N383MA | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate preflight of the helicopter, and his subsequent failure to monitor his fuel supply, which resulted in a power loss due to fuel …The pilot's inadequate preflight of the helicopter, and his subsequent failure to monitor his fuel supply, which resulted in a power loss due to fuel exhaustion, over unsuitable terrain. |
| Jun 17, 2000 | RUIDOSO, NM | N440RB | Minor | substantial |
the loss of engine power as a result of fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack …the loss of engine power as a result of fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of experience in the model of helicopter. |
| Sep 30, 1999 | LONGMONT, CO | N84DH | Incident | substantial |
An inaccurate touchdown during a full autorotation, which resulted in main rotor flex which cut off the tail boom. Factors were the pilot's lack of to…An inaccurate touchdown during a full autorotation, which resulted in main rotor flex which cut off the tail boom. Factors were the pilot's lack of total experience in helicopters and high density altitude. |
| May 22, 1999 | BAGGS, WY | N535H | Incident | substantial | The pilot not maintaining the main rotor's RPM. Factor's were the high density altitude, and the mountainous/hilly terrain. |
| Apr 16, 1998 | CASTLE ROCK, CO | N5693D | Incident | substantial | Malfunction of the engine-driven fuel pump. Factors were unsuitable terrain, soft ground, and a berm. |
| May 21, 1997 | CLARKSBURG, NJ | N613LG | Serious (1) | — | The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the hangar. |
| Feb 19, 1997 | LUCASVILLE, OH | N51662 | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot in command failure to maintain rotor rpm. |
| Jul 03, 1996 | CASTLE ROCK, CO | N51763 | Incident | substantial | Total failure of the magneto. A factor was the pilot operating the helicopter with a known deficiency. |
| Jun 15, 1996 | LAMBERTVILLE, MI | N557H | Incident | substantial |
a total loss of engine power as a result of fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight, and the pilot's misjudged distance/altitude durin…a total loss of engine power as a result of fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight, and the pilot's misjudged distance/altitude during the subsequent autorotation. A factor was inadequate maintenance and inspection. |
| Oct 06, 1995 | QUAKERTOWN, PA | N976BT | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
improper installation of the magneto by maintenance personnel, which resulted in the loss of ignition and the loss of engine power. A factor relating…improper installation of the magneto by maintenance personnel, which resulted in the loss of ignition and the loss of engine power. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for an emergency landing. |
| Aug 21, 1995 | HOUSTON, TX | N911BT | Incident | substantial | THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S POOR JUDGEMENT, AND HIS DISREGARD OF THE OWNER'S OBJECTION TO AIR TAXI INTO THE HANGAR. |
| Jun 14, 1995 | THE DALLES, OR | N51657 | Incident | substantial |
A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO ONE SET OF IGNITION POINTS BECOMING LOOSE DURING FLIGHT. FACTORS INCLUDED THE LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT AND MANEUVERI…A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO ONE SET OF IGNITION POINTS BECOMING LOOSE DURING FLIGHT. FACTORS INCLUDED THE LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT AND MANEUVERING REQUIRED TO CONDUCT THE OPERATION AND THE RESULTING LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING. |