Enstrom 280FX N3042D

Summary

On 3 April 2012 at about 20:55 local time, a Enstrom 280FX registered N3042D, operated by Travland Helicopters Intl Inc, was involved in an accident near Corpus Christi, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 April 2012 at 20:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Corpus Christi, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Corpus Christie (CRP)

Coordinates

27.7703, -97.5011

Aircraft

Enstrom 280FX

Registration

N3042D

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Travland Helicopters Intl Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Edinburg → Corpus Christi

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12LA228

1 person had minor injuries.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

After an uneventful flight, the pilot slowed the helicopter into a stable hover about 15 feet above the landing point. Although the engine continued to operate, the main rotor rpm suddenly decayed and the helicopter landed hard. The pilot, who had over 5,600 flight hours in helicopters, stated that there was no warning before the loss of main rotor drive. The helicopter was in a position whereby power to the rotor system was essential to conducting a safe landing. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the bolt that retains the clutch drive rod end in the clutch pivot fork had sheared, resulting in the clutch disengaging. Once the clutch disengaged, there was no drive to the rotor system, and the helicopter's descent could not be arrested. With the exception of the failed bolt, examination of the entire drive system did not show any preexisting mechanical malfunction or abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter had operated about 1,350 hours since it was new, and the retaining bolt was the original installation. The reason for the failure of the bolt could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.