Accident Overview
On May 10, 2018, at approximately 1745 central daylight time, an Enstrom Helicopter Corporation 280C helicopter, registration N67RE, impacted trees and terrain following an autorotation near Kerens, Texas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Flight History
The helicopter had undergone recent major maintenance, and the pilot was picking it up to return to his residence. Before the accident flight, the pilot completed a flight review with a flight instructor in the accident helicopter. During the review, the pilot experienced issues with the radio and difficulty with trim control. A mechanic later inspected the radio and completed unspecified repairs. After the flight review, the pilot added 25 gallons of fuel, bringing the total to about 35 gallons for the return flight.
The helicopter departed from Wood County Airport (JDD) in Mineola, Texas, about 1615, destined for a private residence. During the return flight, the pilot noticed increasing transmission and cylinder temperatures on his instrument gauges. He performed an off-airport landing in a field, kept the engine running, and waited for the temperatures to return to normal. After they did, the pilot departed.
While maneuvering at 1,000 feet above ground level about 1.5 miles from his residence, the pilot heard a noise or bang. The engine then lost total power, and the pilot entered an autorotation. During the descent, the helicopter impacted trees and terrain, coming to rest upright in wooded terrain.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the helicopter at the accident site and at a recovery facility. The mixture control was found in the rich position. Both left and right fuel tanks were empty, and the fuel tanks and fuel lines were not compromised. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were noted that would have precluded normal operations.