On May 22, 1999, an Enstrom 280C (registration N535H) was involved in an aviation accident near Baggs, WY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot not maintaining the main rotor's RPM. Factor's were the high density altitude, and the mountainous/hilly terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter experienced main rotor RPM decay while attempting to land near a coyote between ridges. The pilot made a hard landing, shearing off the tail boom.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported that after shooting a coyote, they attempted to land to retrieve it. The coyote was located between two ridges. During the approach, the helicopter's main rotor RPM began to decay. The pilot stated that there was insufficient altitude to recover from the decaying rotor speed, so they landed on the flattest area available.
Hard Landing and Damage
The landing was described as hard, and the main rotor blades subsequently sheared off the tail boom. The estimated density altitude at the site was 7,500 feet.
Contributing Conditions
The investigation has not yet determined a probable cause for the accident. The pilot's account indicates the main rotor RPM decay occurred during the approach, but no specific causal factors were identified in the available information.