On October 9, 1983, an Enstrom 280C (registration N222NT) operated by Pilot Personnel International was involved in an aviation accident near Portland, OR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A helicopter lost power after takeoff, forcing an emergency landing between rows of cars. The tail section struck an unoccupied pickup truck. Investigation found no mechanical cause for the power loss.
Incident Details
According to the pilot, the helicopter experienced a loss of power shortly after takeoff. The pilot had made a right turn into the wind after lift-off and had just cleared a fence at an altitude of 40 to 50 feet above ground level when the power loss began.
Sequence of Events
In response to the power loss, the pilot initiated a right turn to avoid power lines. The helicopter did not have sufficient room to clear the lines, so the pilot continued the right turn and maneuvered to land between two rows of cars. During the landing, the tail section of the helicopter struck an unoccupied pickup truck.
Investigation Findings
A subsequent examination of the engine did not identify any cause for the loss of power. The incident is under investigation.
