How many accidents has the Enstrom 280 had?

The NTSB has recorded 86 events involving the Enstrom 280: 15 fatal, 12 serious, 11 minor injuries, and 46 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Enstrom 280 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Enstrom 280 has 86 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Enstrom 280 Safety Record

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

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (25 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Jul 27, 2024	Russellville, KY	N280D	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor’s failure to maintain sufficient rotor rpm while maneuvering the helicopter low to the ground, which resulted in a loss of contr… The flight instructor’s failure to maintain sufficient rotor rpm while maneuvering the helicopter low to the ground, which resulted in a loss of control.
Feb 15, 2024	Lewistown, MT	N899JS	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s encounter with low light conditions and snow-cove… The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s encounter with low light conditions and snow-covered terrain.
Aug 25, 2021	Llanfachreth, OF	G-OJBB	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 21, 2021	Port Orange, FL	N9285	Incident	substantial	The failure of the tail rotor drive shaft at the coupling due to torsionally applied shear stress.
Jun 27, 2016	Zeeland, MI	N518EG	Incident	minor	The exhaust band clamp failure, which resulted in an engine fire due to hot exhaust gases entering the engine compartment.
Jan 22, 2016	Buttwil, SZ	HB-XLS	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 20, 2009	Dacono, CO	N409LH	Incident	substantial	A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Mar 19, 2009	Wendover, UT	N280AD	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from an inadequate preflight inspection by both pilots and their failure to ensure that … A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from an inadequate preflight inspection by both pilots and their failure to ensure that adequate fuel was on board for the flight. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.
Aug 06, 2008	Aurora, CO	N285SH	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper planning and decision making resulting in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the p… The pilot's improper planning and decision making resulting in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's premature application of collective resulting in a hard landing and substantial damage.
Jun 11, 2007	Taylorsville, KY	N93GP	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper prefight inspection of the helicopter.
Mar 15, 2006	Peetz, CO	N811Z	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering resulting in an impact with terrain. Contributing factors were the gusty winds, do… The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering resulting in an impact with terrain. Contributing factors were the gusty winds, downdrafts, and box canyon.
Nov 14, 2004	Galloo Island, NY	N51739	Incident	substantial	A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the pilot's improper decision to operate the helicopter outside the height velo… A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the pilot's improper decision to operate the helicopter outside the height velocity curve.
May 10, 2003	Panama City Bch, FL	N51752	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm and altitude during takeoff which resulted in the helicopter impacting the water during a descent i… The pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm and altitude during takeoff which resulted in the helicopter impacting the water during a descent in an attempt to maintain rotor rpm.
Mar 02, 2003	Ruston, LA	N383MA	Incident	substantial	The separation of the upper tail cone as a result of a fractured bolt due to fatigue.
Apr 29, 2002	Alsatia, LA	N383MA	Incident	substantial	The main rotor contact to the tail boom resulting from the pilot leaving the helicopter unattended while the rotors were engaged.
Aug 08, 2001	OURAY, CO	N724BF	Incident	substantial	the partial loss of engine power due to the slippage of the wastegate linkage as a result of the plunger on the linkage being undertorqued by an unkno… the partial loss of engine power due to the slippage of the wastegate linkage as a result of the plunger on the linkage being undertorqued by an unknown person. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Jun 23, 2000	SPRINGDALE, OH	N383MA	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight of the helicopter, and his subsequent failure to monitor his fuel supply, which resulted in a power loss due to fuel … The pilot's inadequate preflight of the helicopter, and his subsequent failure to monitor his fuel supply, which resulted in a power loss due to fuel exhaustion, over unsuitable terrain.
Sep 30, 1999	LONGMONT, CO	N84DH	Incident	substantial	An inaccurate touchdown during a full autorotation, which resulted in main rotor flex which cut off the tail boom. Factors were the pilot's lack of to… An inaccurate touchdown during a full autorotation, which resulted in main rotor flex which cut off the tail boom. Factors were the pilot's lack of total experience in helicopters and high density altitude.
May 22, 1999	BAGGS, WY	N535H	Incident	substantial	The pilot not maintaining the main rotor's RPM. Factor's were the high density altitude, and the mountainous/hilly terrain.
Apr 16, 1998	CASTLE ROCK, CO	N5693D	Incident	substantial	Malfunction of the engine-driven fuel pump. Factors were unsuitable terrain, soft ground, and a berm.
Jul 03, 1996	CASTLE ROCK, CO	N51763	Incident	substantial	Total failure of the magneto. A factor was the pilot operating the helicopter with a known deficiency.
Jun 15, 1996	LAMBERTVILLE, MI	N557H	Incident	substantial	a total loss of engine power as a result of fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight, and the pilot's misjudged distance/altitude durin… a total loss of engine power as a result of fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight, and the pilot's misjudged distance/altitude during the subsequent autorotation. A factor was inadequate maintenance and inspection.
Aug 21, 1995	HOUSTON, TX	N911BT	Incident	substantial	THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S POOR JUDGEMENT, AND HIS DISREGARD OF THE OWNER'S OBJECTION TO AIR TAXI INTO THE HANGAR.
Jun 14, 1995	THE DALLES, OR	N51657	Incident	substantial	A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO ONE SET OF IGNITION POINTS BECOMING LOOSE DURING FLIGHT. FACTORS INCLUDED THE LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT AND MANEUVERI… A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO ONE SET OF IGNITION POINTS BECOMING LOOSE DURING FLIGHT. FACTORS INCLUDED THE LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT AND MANEUVERING REQUIRED TO CONDUCT THE OPERATION AND THE RESULTING LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.
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.

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

Enstrom 280 Safety Record

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