Enstrom Helicopter CORP 280C accident near Ogden, Utah, May 25, 2009
On May 25, 2009 at about 6:00 pm local time, a Enstrom Helicopter CORP 280C, registered N5699N, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Ogden, Utah (Hinckley Airport). It was a personal 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 pilot's improper use of the helicopter's collective both during the takeoff sequence and while attempting remedial action in response to an engine over-boost condition, which resulted in a hard precautionary landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 25, 2009 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Ogden, Utah · Hinckley Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Enstrom Helicopter CORP 280C · all 280Cs on the register
- Registration
- N5699N · registry record · serial 1220
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that just after passing through takeoff translational lift, he noticed that the reciprocating engine was being over-boosted and that the main rotor blade RPM was drooping. He therefore lowered the collective in an attempt to lower the boost and to regain main rotor rpm, but the helicopter began to sink at a rate that made it necessary for him to immediately transition to a landing. After touching down on the ground, the skids partially collapsed, the helicopter pitched forward, and the main rotor blades flexed downward far enough to sever the tail boom. According to the pilot, the engine seemed to be running strong and smooth, and there did not appear to be any problems with the flight control system. No anomalies were found during a post-accident inspection of the airframe, nor during the engine test run.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Hard landing during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Rotorcraft flight control › Main rotor control › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,205 hours in all; 64 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: May 8, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,140 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360 SER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Ogden UT at 5:00 pm
- Destination: KOGD Ogden UT
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.