Enstrom F-280C accident near Ridgefield, New Jersey, April 18, 1986
On April 18, 1986 at about 10:28 am local time, a Enstrom F-280C (helicopter), registered N51721, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ridgefield, New Jersey (Lambros Heliport airport). It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 18, 1986 · about 10:28 am local time
- Place
- Ridgefield, New Jersey · Lambros Heliport
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Enstrom F-280C
- Registration
- N51721 · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
SECONDS AFTER AN OVER-WATER TAKEOFF FROM A SHORELINE HELIPAD THE ACFT IMPACTED THE WATER AND SANK. THE PILOT AND PAX ESCAPED FROM THE SUBMERGED ACFT AND WERE NOT INJURED. THE PILOT CLAIMED THAT HE HAD A SPLIT NEEDLE IN WHICH THE ROTOR RPM DETERIORATED. THE PAX STATED THAT THE PILOT WAS IN A HURRY AND LIFTED LESS THAN 10 FEET BEFORE TURNING AND TAKING OFF OVER THE WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE CLUTCH AND DRIVE BELT ASSEMBLY DID NOT REVEAL ANY DISCREPENCIES.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,006 hours in all; 218 in this make and model; 103 in the last 90 days; 1,891 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,721 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 8, 1986; 67 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HI0-360-E-1AD (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Ridgefield Park NJ at 10:30 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded at 10,000 ft; scat at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.