Enstrom 280FX Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 21 events recorded from 1988 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 15, 2025 | Waterford, CA | N402TA | Serious (1) | destroyed | The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water while operating at a low altitude. |
| 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 |
| Jan 26, 2015 | Erie, CO | N86235 | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
An in-flight failure of the helicopter's #2 main rotor spindle due to undetected fatigue cracking, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributin…An in-flight failure of the helicopter's #2 main rotor spindle due to undetected fatigue cracking, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to failure were the nonconforming thread root radius of the spindle and the manufacturer's failure to include a bending moment within the spindle threads when performing the fatigue analysis during initial design of the spindle. |
| Dec 08, 2014 | Fort Lupton, CO | N409LH | Minor | substantial | The loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. |
| Apr 03, 2012 | Corpus Christi, TX | N3042D | Minor | substantial | 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. |
| Sep 03, 2011 | Heber City, UT | N280AD | Serious (3) | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to ensure that there was sufficient fuel onboard to conduct the flight, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhau…The pilot’s failure to ensure that there was sufficient fuel onboard to conduct the flight, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the severity of the passengers’ injuries was the operator’s failure to provide adequate restraints for the passengers. |
| Mar 04, 2010 | Goshen, IN | N327TB | Serious (1) | substantial |
The inadequate preflight inspection by both pilots, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the d…The inadequate preflight inspection by both pilots, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the disconnected fuel tank sending unit. |
| 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 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. |
| Nov 22, 2001 | Tallassee, AL | N280XF | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The failure of the pilot to maintain a safe altitude above terrain and maintain a visual lookout resulting in the helicopter colliding with power tran…The failure of the pilot to maintain a safe altitude above terrain and maintain a visual lookout resulting in the helicopter colliding with power transmission lines and crashing into a river. A factor in the accident was the power transmission lines not being marked. |
| 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 07, 1992 | SUMMERVILLE, SC | N86262 | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO IMC, WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES. FACTORS WERE THE OBSCURED SKY AND FOGGY WEATHER CONDITIO…THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO IMC, WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES. FACTORS WERE THE OBSCURED SKY AND FOGGY WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. |
| May 30, 1992 | WENATCHEE, WA | N86239 | Incident | substantial | THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: OBJECT (FENCE POST) AND WINDSHIELD DIRTY (FOGGY) |
| Oct 01, 1989 | BERLIN, NY | N413DB | Incident | substantial | LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. |
| Jul 16, 1988 | MENOMINEE, MI | N280FX | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |