Enstrom 280 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 86 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

86

All Events

46

Incidents

11

Minor

12

Serious

15

Fatal (25 fatalities)
Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
May 13, 1995 NEWARK, DE N122HA Incident substantial The pilot's improper use of throttle and collective controls, resulting in the loss of rotor rpm and the inflight loss of control.
Jun 05, 1994 CALIFORNIA CITY, CA N123MT Incident substantial the pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty wind conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain control of the helicopter.
Jun 09, 1993 GLEN MILLS, PA N51739 Incident substantial AN IMPROPERLY PLANNED APPROACH IN WHICH THE FLARE WAS NOT ATTAINED, AND WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.
Jun 07, 1992 SUMMERVILLE, SC N86262 Fatal (2) destroyed
THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO IMC, WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES. FACTORS WERE THE OBSCURED SKY AND FOGGY WEATHER CONDITIO…

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO IMC, WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES. FACTORS WERE THE OBSCURED SKY AND FOGGY WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
May 30, 1992 WENATCHEE, WA N86239 Incident substantial THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: OBJECT (FENCE POST) AND WINDSHIELD DIRTY (FOGGY)
Apr 14, 1992 IRON MOUNTAIN, MI N51782 Incident substantial THE PRESENCE OF WATER IN THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM.
Apr 11, 1992 MOUNT VERNON, WA N377JD Incident substantial A HARD LANDING BY THE PILOT, AFTER A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.
Apr 22, 1990 THORNTON, PA N493H Incident substantial FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER CLIMB RATE AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A CONFINED AREA. FACTORS INCLUDE GUSTY WINDS AND HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS.
Oct 01, 1989 BERLIN, NY N413DB Incident substantial LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.
Aug 16, 1989 MILBRIDGE, ME N89JD Incident substantial FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 3 INTAKE VALVE OUTER SPRING. THE WATER (RIVER) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
May 17, 1989 COLORADO SPGS, CO N624H Minor substantial INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND WIND CONDITIONS WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Jul 19, 1988 GLENDIVE, MT N111CD Incident substantial Investigation pending
Jul 16, 1988 MENOMINEE, MI N280FX Incident substantial Investigation pending
Mar 27, 1988 FREMONT, CA N5692P Incident substantial
FAILURE OF THE ENGINE TO MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM DUE TO A DRIVE BELT SLIPPAGE CAUSED BY A DRIVE PULLEY WORN BEYOND ITS SERVICE LIMIT. CONTRIBUTING TO …

FAILURE OF THE ENGINE TO MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM DUE TO A DRIVE BELT SLIPPAGE CAUSED BY A DRIVE PULLEY WORN BEYOND ITS SERVICE LIMIT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE FACTORY MAINTENANCE MANUALS WHICH DID NOT PROVIDE THE SERVICEABLE LIMITS FOR THE DRIVE BELT PULLEYS.
Sep 26, 1987 BOUNTIFUL, UT N5692D Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Dec 11, 1986 NEWPORT, RI N647H Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Mar 01, 1986 ONTARIO, CA N5694R Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Jul 21, 1985 MILFORD, MI N556H Incident substantial Investigation pending
Jun 09, 1985 S.WOODSTOCK, VT N5694Y Incident substantial Investigation pending
Oct 28, 1984 BUTLER, PA N51686 Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 29, 1984 BLUFFDALE, UT N4992M Incident substantial Investigation pending
Feb 29, 1984 MIDDLETON, ID N51715 Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Oct 09, 1983 PORTLAND, OR N222NT Incident substantial Investigation pending
Sep 21, 1983 PONTIAC, MI N5692L Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
Aug 25, 1983 N. HAILEY, ID N999TP Incident substantial Investigation pending
Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data