Enstrom 280 Shark
66 on the U.S. register across 4 versions the FAA records separately. Built from 1974 to 2017; half of them date from 2004 or earlier. Delaware has the most (9). 61% are registered to companies, flight schools, clubs and other organisations; the rest to individuals, who are not named here at this time.
About the 280 from the FAA's model table
- Type
- Rotorcraft · Helicopters
- Power
- Piston (reciprocating), 1 engine
- Common engines
- Lycoming Hi0-360 Ser (28), Lycoming Hio-360-F1Ad (21), Lycoming I0-360 Ser (3)
- Fuel
- 100LL avgas
- Seats
- 3
- Built of
- steel tube and aluminium · A welded steel-tube frame under aluminium and fibreglass skins.
- Maker on the register
- Enstrom
- Registered
- earliest certificate November 8, 2000; newest October 8, 2026
Where they are owner's state
Who owns them registrant type
By owner type, as a table
| aircraft | share | |
|---|---|---|
| LLC | 25 | 38% |
| Individual | 22 | 33% |
| Corporation | 14 | 21% |
| Co-owned | 4 | 6% |
| Non-citizen corporation | 1 | 2% |
Versions as the FAA records them · click one to list only those aircraft
When they were built by decade · 27 with no year on file
Registration status
Valid60 (91%)Pending2 (3%)Valid (manufacturer)1 (2%)Sale reported1 (2%)Renewal notice sent1 (2%)Canceled1 (2%)
By status, as a table
| aircraft | share | |
|---|---|---|
| Valid | 60 | 91% |
| Pending | 2 | 3% |
| Valid (manufacturer) | 1 | 2% |
| Sale reported | 1 | 2% |
| Renewal notice sent | 1 | 2% |
| Canceled | 1 | 2% |
Airworthiness certificate class
By airworthiness certificate, as a table
| aircraft | share | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 55 | 83% |
| None on file | 9 | 14% |
| Multiple | 1 | 2% |
| Experimental | 1 | 2% |
Biggest operators companies, schools and clubs
Enstrom Helicopter CORP4Sharkeys Helicopters INC2Lrh Equipment LLC2Zebcon INC1Whirlwind LLC1Wheels Flying Service LLC1Tiger 17 LLC1Slyline Technologies LLC1September Bravo Enterprises LLC1Scenix Air LLC1Rottor Aviation LLC1Rotorcraft LLC1
Largest fleets, as a table
| aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Enstrom Helicopter CORP | 4 |
| Sharkeys Helicopters INC | 2 |
| Lrh Equipment LLC | 2 |
| Zebcon INC | 1 |
| Whirlwind LLC | 1 |
| Wheels Flying Service LLC | 1 |
| Tiger 17 LLC | 1 |
| Slyline Technologies LLC | 1 |
| September Bravo Enterprises LLC | 1 |
| Scenix Air LLC | 1 |
| Rottor Aviation LLC | 1 |
| Rotorcraft LLC | 1 |
Fleet pages: Enstrom Helicopter CORP · Lrh Equipment LLC
Accident history NTSB records · 33 cases since 1982, 5 fatal
2025-12-28ERA26FA077 · 280 N280MG · accident near Hammonton, NJ · 2 killed
2025-03-15WPR25LA112 · 280FX N402TA · accident near Waterford, CA · serious injuries
2024-07-27ERA24LA327 · 280FX N280D · accident near Russellville, KY · no injuries
2024-02-15WPR24LA090 · 280FX N899JS · accident near Lewistown, MT · no injuries
2023-12-01GAA24WA048 · 280 FHPUX · accident near Madrid
2021-08-25GAA21WA247 · 280FX GOJBB · accident near Llanfachreth, outside the U.S. · no injuries
2021-08-21ERA21LA339 · 280 N9285 · accident near Port Orange, FL · no injuries
2021-07-30ERA21LA309 · 280 N36DK · accident near Colchester, VT · serious injuries
The 8 most recent of 33 cases where the NTSB's make and model match this family's versions. Each aircraft's own page also shows its record. How this model compares with others, with the fleet taken into account: Accidents by model in Aviation Analytics.
Questions people ask answers refresh every morning
How many Enstrom 280 Shark aircraft are registered in the U.S.?
66 as of November 12, 2026, counting 4 versions the FAA records separately.
Which state has the most Enstrom 280s?
Delaware, with 9.
Who owns the Enstrom 280?
61% are registered to companies, flight schools, clubs and other organisations; the rest to individuals and co-owners, who are not named on this site at this time.
When were the Enstrom 280s on the register built?
Between 1974 and 2017; half of them in 2004 or earlier.
How many Enstrom 280 accidents has the NTSB recorded?
33 accidents and incidents since 1982, 5 of them fatal. A model flown more shows more; the accident analytics compare models per thousand registered.
What is the Enstrom 280 made of?
A welded steel-tube frame carries the loads, with aluminium (and some fibreglass) skins over it. A welded steel-tube frame under aluminium and fibreglass skins. The FAA's type certificate data sheet is the authority for any one model.
What the FAA has certified, ordered and been told about the Enstrom 280 the component layer
A welded steel-tube frame carries the loads, with aluminium (and some fibreglass) skins over it. A welded steel-tube frame under aluminium and fibreglass skins. The design is held under 1 type certificate (H1CE, held by The Enstrom Helicopter Corporation). The FAA has issued 36 airworthiness directives (orders that owners must comply with) that name this model, most of them about rotorcraft systems. Operators and repair shops have filed 35 failure reports with the FAA since 1995, 18 of them in the last ten years: about 3.4 a year for every 100 aircraft on the register; the system most often named is rotorcraft systems. 20 approved modifications exist for it, the most by Palmetto Helicopters, INC.
FAA orders 36 airworthiness directives · newest first
2023-06-222023-11-07 · Ground Proximity System · instruments and avionics
2021-12-092021-23-13 · Ground Proximity System · instruments and avionics
2018-02-212018-02-01 · Main Rotor Head · rotorcraft systems
2018-01-042017-26-03 · Main Rotor System · rotorcraft systems
2012-07-032012-11-05 · Main Rotor Control · rotorcraft systems
2012-01-232011-26-10 · Cyclic trim system · flight controls
All orders naming the Enstrom 280
By system
Rotorcraft systems25 (69%)Other and general5 (14%)Flight controls2 (6%)Instruments and avionics2 (6%)Airframe structure1 (3%)Electrical power1 (3%)
Orders by system, as a table
| orders | share | |
|---|---|---|
| Rotorcraft systems | 25 | 69% |
| Other and general | 5 | 14% |
| Flight controls | 2 | 6% |
| Instruments and avionics | 2 | 6% |
| Airframe structure | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical power | 1 | 3% |
Failure reports 35 since 1995 · what operators and shops told the FAA
Failure reports by year, as a table
| reports | |
|---|---|
| 95 | 3 |
| 96 | 3 |
| 97 | 7 |
| 98 | 4 |
| 99 | 4 |
| 00 | 1 |
| 01 | 4 |
| 02 | 2 |
| 03 | 3 |
| 04 | 2 |
| 05 | 1 |
| 08 | 1 |
By system
Rotorcraft systems13 (37%)Engine11 (31%)Airframe structure5 (14%)Electrical power4 (11%)Fuel system1 (3%)Landing gear1 (3%)
Failure reports by system, as a table
| reports | share | |
|---|---|---|
| Rotorcraft systems | 13 | 37% |
| Engine | 11 | 31% |
| Airframe structure | 5 | 14% |
| Electrical power | 4 | 11% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 3% |
| Landing gear | 1 | 3% |
Parts most often reported as the reports name them
Parts most reported, as a table
| reports | |
|---|---|
| Bearing | 4 |
| Control Cable | 2 |
| Crankcase | 2 |
| Gearbox | 2 |
| Regulator | 2 |
| Valve | 2 |
| Windshield | 2 |
| Alternator | 1 |
| Bolt | 1 |
| Clutch | 1 |
Latest reports
2008-03-04Bearing: seized · rotorcraft systems
2005-03-08Spacer: cracked · rotorcraft systems
2004-05-19Doubler: cracked · airframe structure
2004-05-19Bearing: delaminated · airframe structure
2003-10-02Control Cable: worn · rotorcraft systems
Approved replacement parts 60 parts manufacturer approvals
Parts a company other than the maker may make for this design and sell as FAA-approved. The companies holding the most:
Airwolf Aerospace LLC (Formerly Airwolf Helicopter) 11Lamar Technologies LLC 10Weldon Pump 8Airwolf Aerospace, LLC 6Aerospace Welding Minneapolis, INC. 4Thermal Structures INC 3Kelly Aerospace Thermal Systems, LLC 2Dawley Manufacturing CORP 2
Most often: alternator control (6), cover (5), pump motor (4), pin (4), exhaust half (4), boost pump (4), turbochargerblanket trrj (3), voltage regulator (2), spindle adapter (2), relay (2).
Approved modifications 20 supplemental type certificates
Changes the FAA has approved for this design, from new avionics and engines to floats and parachutes. The companies holding the most:
Palmetto Helicopters, INC 3Airwolf Filter Corporation 2Turboplus, INC 1The Enstrom Helicopter Corporation 1Spitfire Aerospace, LLC 1Sky Sign INC 1Papas Gary Los Angeles Laboratories INC. 1Oilamatic INC 1
Latest
2025-02-06SR03173CH · Installation of Isolair Innovator 11 Model 3900-280 Spray System
2023-12-22SR00063DE · Installation of Inframetrics IRTV-445G infrared imaging system.
2023-10-03SR02120SE · Installation of Garmin GTN 6XX/7XX Navigation System
2023-04-21SH492NW · Installation of cargo racks Model 100 (rectangular) or Model 101(tapered) on each side
2021-04-26SH1461CE · Installation of a Nite Sign Model H47B-1 Electronic Aerial Billboard.
Certificates and bulletins
H1CEType certificate held by The Enstrom Helicopter Corporation · 14 models listed · revised September 29, 2025
Safety bulletins 4 · advice, not orders
2012-10-03SW-12-45 · Garmin Model 400W/500W Series GPS-WAAS Navigation System
2012-02-03SW-12-10R1 · Fuel Level Indication
2012-01-09SW-12-10 · Enstrom Helicopter Corporation 280FX Helicopters; Fuel Quantity Indicator
2009-05-27SW-09-30 · Cracked Pylons
Sources: the FAA's type certificate data sheets, airworthiness directives, supplemental type certificates, special conditions and special airworthiness information bulletins (Dynamic Regulatory System), and the FAA's service difficulty reports. A failure report is what an operator or repair station chose to file; the counts show reporting as much as reliability, and larger and commercial fleets report more. How the systems are grouped.
Connections how the 280 links to the rest of the register
Design
- Enstrom 216 aircraft on the register
- Enstrom 280FX 59 registered
- Enstrom 280 5 registered
- Enstrom 280FXT 1 registered
- Enstrom 280L 1 registered
- Type certificate H1CE · held by Enstrom Helicopter CORP the
- Built of steel tube and aluminium · A welded steel-tube frame under aluminium and fibreglass skins.
Engines
- Lycoming HIO-360 series 29 of these aircraft · 205 hp
- Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD 21 of these aircraft · 190 hp
- Lycoming IO-360 series 3 of these aircraft · 180 hp
- Lycoming HIO-360-C1B 1 of these aircraft · 205 hp
- Lycoming IO-360-F1A 1 of these aircraft · 180 hp
Where they are
Biggest operators
- Enstrom Helicopter CORP 4 of these aircraft
- Sharkeys Helicopters INC 2 of these aircraft
- Lrh Equipment LLC 2 of these aircraft
- Zebcon INC 1 of these aircraft
- Whirlwind LLC 1 of these aircraft
Record
- NTSB accidents and incidents involving the 280 33 cases since 1982 · 5 fatal
Airworthiness
- FAA orders naming the 280 36 airworthiness directives
- Failure reports filed on the 280 35 reports since 1995
- Approved modifications for the 280 20 supplemental type certificates
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/model/enstrom/280.json.
Aircraft newest certificates first · 66
| Tail no. | Maker and model | Owner and base | Certificate | Registered | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N713CH | Enstrom 280FX |
Co-owned owner Tennessee |
Standard | 2026-10-08 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N353X | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Florida |
None on file | 2026-10-01 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N58FS | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Oregon |
Standard | 2026-08-18 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N280Q | Enstrom 280 |
Casey Aviation INC Burke, Texas |
Standard | 2026-07-29 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N976X | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Florida |
None on file | 2026-07-27 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N1225D | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Florida |
Standard | 2026-05-11 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N8900X | Enstrom 280FX |
Rotorcraft LLC Lake Havasu City, Arizona |
Standard | 2026-04-27 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N8631P | Enstrom 280FX |
Sharkeys Helicopters INC West Lebanon, New Hampshire |
Standard | 2026-02-17 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N962SM | Enstrom 280FX |
Wheels Flying Service LLC Kalispell, Montana |
Standard | 2025-11-29 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N663DS | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2025-05-21 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N409HT | Enstrom 280FX |
Helidon INC Willmington, Delaware |
Standard | 2025-02-25 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N965C | Enstrom 280FX |
Co-owned owner Texas |
Standard | 2025-01-28 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N454P | Enstrom 280FX |
Co-owned owner Texas |
Standard | 2025-01-24 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N377JD | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Oregon |
Standard | 2024-12-23 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N282MH | Enstrom 280FX |
Cowboy Up Aviation LLC Frenchglen, Oregon |
Standard | 2024-10-23 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N755BF | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner California |
Standard | 2024-10-09 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N280SM | Enstrom 280FX |
Airpark Aviation LLC Manchester, New Hampshire |
Standard | 2024-09-17 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N280ML | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2024-08-06 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N704D | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2024-07-09 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N50AZ | Enstrom 280FX |
Benson Aviation LLC Mehoopany, Pennsylvania |
Standard | 2024-06-25 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N280ER | Enstrom 280FX |
New Course Aviation CO Golden, Colorado |
Standard | 2024-05-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3842D | Enstrom 280FX |
Beacon Aviation Flight Services LLC Rogers, Arkansas |
Standard | 2024-04-17 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N280GV | Enstrom 280FX |
Caricoa Helicopter LLC Middletown, Delaware |
None on file | 2024-03-11 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N3235B | Enstrom 280 |
Hbhis LLC Gnadenhutten, Ohio |
Standard | 2024-01-24 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N88ZH | Enstrom 280FX |
Learn 2 Fly LLC Cantonment, Florida |
Standard | 2023-09-08 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N280SH | Enstrom 280FX |
Rottor Aviation LLC Jasper, Indiana |
Standard | 2023-08-26 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N383MA | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Louisiana |
Standard | 2023-05-07 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N754MH | Enstrom 280 |
D&M Aviation INC Amelia, Ohio |
None on file | 2023-02-18 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N28N | Enstrom 280FX |
Enstrom Helicopter CORP Menominee, Michigan |
Standard | 2022-12-15 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N280FX | Enstrom 280FXT |
Enstrom Helicopter CORP Menominee, Michigan |
Experimental | 2022-12-14 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N5690E | Enstrom 280L |
Enstrom Helicopter CORP Menominee, Michigan |
None on file | 2022-12-05 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N53PC | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Montana |
Standard | 2022-11-28 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N93GP | Enstrom 280FX |
Horizon Helicopters INC Newark, Delaware |
Standard | 2022-03-31 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N93DA | Enstrom 280FX |
September Bravo Enterprises LLC West Olive, Michigan |
Standard | 2021-10-15 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N35DH | Enstrom 280FX |
Zebcon INC Russellville, Arkansas |
Standard | 2021-04-05 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N898SY | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Hawaii |
Standard | 2021-03-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N286SH | Enstrom 280FX |
Co-owned owner Washington |
Standard | 2021-02-03 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N761DA | Enstrom 280FX |
King Air 76 LLC Lewes, Delaware |
Standard | 2020-10-20 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N282SH | Enstrom 280FX |
Bubs Leasing LLC West Des Moines, Iowa |
Standard | 2020-05-08 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N229SH | Enstrom 280FX |
Sharkeys Helicopters INC West Lebanon, New Hampshire |
None on file | 2019-12-05 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N43LA | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Pennsylvania |
Standard | 2019-11-19 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N86239 | Enstrom 280FX |
Lrh Equipment LLC Pendleton, Oregon |
Multiple | 2019-06-18 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N280NA | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Minnesota |
Standard | 2018-11-01 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N62VA | Enstrom 280FX |
Tiger 17 LLC Wilmington, Delaware |
Standard | 2018-07-17 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N280FU | Enstrom 280 |
Adf Helicopters INC Brewster, Washington |
None on file | 2017-11-03 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N280FS | Enstrom 280FX |
Airflight LLC Wilmington, Delaware |
Standard | 2017-03-09 | Renewal notice sentFAA registration status code 25: First notice for registration renewal. All codes |
| N285TR | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner New Mexico |
Standard | 2015-12-01 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N280MH | Enstrom 280FX |
Gulf Coast Helicopters INC Pearland, Texas |
Standard | 2013-06-26 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N904TA | Enstrom 280FX |
Whirlwind LLC Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania |
Standard | 2013-03-27 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N286RT | Enstrom 280FX |
N286Rt LLC Wilmington, Delaware |
Standard | 2012-10-01 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N18PD | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner California |
Standard | 2012-06-19 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N391MS | Enstrom 280FX |
Br Transit LLC Hockessin, Delaware |
None on file | 2012-04-30 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N151BY | Enstrom 280FX |
Corporate Leasing Services LLC Phoenix, Arizona |
Standard | 2011-07-06 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N132AB | Enstrom 280 |
Scenix Air LLC Batavia, Ohio |
Standard | 2011-06-18 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N652MT | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Washington |
Standard | 2010-02-10 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N776HC | Enstrom 280FX |
Cyclic Aviation LLC Millbrook, New York |
Standard | 2009-05-20 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N7819 | Enstrom 280FX |
Slyline Technologies LLC Woodside, California |
Standard | 2007-06-18 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N280LA | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Delaware |
Standard | 2004-07-08 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N280SG | Enstrom 280FX |
Horizon Flying Club LLC Westminster, Colorado |
Standard | 2003-02-13 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N253DC | Enstrom 280FX |
D & M Aviation INC Amelia, Ohio |
Standard | 2002-07-17 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N2019H | Enstrom 280FX |
Lrh Equipment LLC Pendleton, Oregon |
Standard | 2000-11-08 | ValidFAA registration status code V: Valid registration. All codes |
| N280BR | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Colorado |
Standard | PendingFAA registration status code R: Registration pending. All codes | |
| N2992H | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner New Hampshire |
Standard | CanceledFAA registration status code 18: Sale reported, canceled. All codes | |
| N59FS | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner Mississippi |
Standard | PendingFAA registration status code R: Registration pending. All codes | |
| N681HE | Enstrom 280FX |
Enstrom Helicopter CORP Menominee, Michigan |
None on file | Valid (manufacturer)FAA registration status code M: Valid, assigned to the manufacturer under its dealer certificate. All codes | |
| N91HB | Enstrom 280FX |
Individual owner North Carolina |
Standard | Sale reportedFAA registration status code 7. All codes |