Casualties unknown

1995-08-21: Enstrom 280C (N911BT) — Houston, TX

Houston, TX, US

On August 21, 1995, an Enstrom 280C (registration N911BT) was involved in an aviation accident near Houston, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S POOR JUDGEMENT, AND HIS DISREGARD OF THE OWNER'S OBJECTION TO AIR TAXI INTO THE HANGAR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A helicopter owner, not rated in rotorcraft, and a flight instructor went on a dual instructional flight with doors removed. After landing, the instructor took control against the owner's wishes and began a hover taxi into the hangar. The main rotor blades struck the hangar top structure, destroying all three blades.

Incident Details

The owner of the helicopter, who was not rated in rotorcraft, and a flight instructor conducted a dual instructional flight with both doors removed from the helicopter. After the flight, the owner hovered to a concrete pad in front of the hangar and landed. Moderate rain was falling as the owner reached for the checklist to shut down the engine.

Sequence of Events

The flight instructor told the owner not to shut down the engine, stating his intention to taxi the helicopter inside the hangar to avoid getting wet. The owner said "No" and explained that it would take only a minute to obtain and install the helicopter doors. Despite the owner's objection, the flight instructor took the controls and began to hover taxi the helicopter into the hangar with the skids close to the ground.

As the helicopter was inside the hangar, the owner stated that he "felt a gust or slight updraft." At that moment, the main rotor blades impacted the top structure of the hangar, resulting in the destruction of all three main rotor blades.

Damage

The accident destroyed all three main rotor blades. No other damage was reported in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X04255. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.