Enstrom 280FX accident near Corpus Christi, Texas, April 3, 2012
On April 3, 2012 at about 8:55 pm local time, a Enstrom 280FX (helicopter), registered N3042D, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Corpus Christi, Texas (Corpus Christie airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the bolt that retained the clutch drive rod end, which resulted in a loss of main rotor drive and a subsequent hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 3, 2012 · about 8:55 pm local time
- Place
- Corpus Christi, Texas · Corpus Christie · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Enstrom 280FX · all 280FXs on the register
- Registration
- N3042D · no longer on the register · serial 2128
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After an uneventful flight, the pilot slowed the helicopter into a stable hover about 15 feet above the landing point. Although the engine continued to operate, the main rotor rpm suddenly decayed and the helicopter landed hard. The pilot, who had over 5,600 flight hours in helicopters, stated that there was no warning before the loss of main rotor drive. The helicopter was in a position whereby power to the rotor system was essential to conducting a safe landing. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the bolt that retains the clutch drive rod end in the clutch pivot fork had sheared, resulting in the clutch disengaging. Once the clutch disengaged, there was no drive to the rotor system, and the helicopter's descent could not be arrested. With the exception of the failed bolt, examination of the entire drive system did not show any preexisting mechanical malfunction or abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter had operated about 1,350 hours since it was new, and the retaining bolt was the original installation. The reason for the failure of the bolt could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Main rotor drive › Engine/transmission coupling › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 18,000 hours in all; 200 in the last 90 days; 100 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: June 1, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,350 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 12, 2012
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Travland Helicopters Intl INC
The flight
- Departed from: EBG Edinburg TX at 9:30 pm
- Destination: CRP Corpus Christi TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,600 ft; clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 pm from CRP
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on July 30, 2013. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Statement of Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Statement of Passenger | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photo 1 Damage to Tailboom | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo 2 Failed Bolt and Bushing for Clutch Pivot Fork | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo 3 Clutch Pivot Fork with Missing Retention Bolt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo 4 Clutch Acuator Rod End | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.