THORNTON, PA, USA
N493H
ENSTROM 280
THE HELICOPTER WAS TAKING OFF FROM A CONFINED AREA WITH ONE PASSENGER ONBOARD. THE PILOT REPORTED A POWER LOSS AT 40 FEET AGL AND MADE A 180 DEGREE TURN TO A DOWNWIND LANDING. THE FAA REPORTED THE HELICOPTER HIT A TREE AND LANDED HARD WITH DAMAGE TO TAIL ROTOR, TAIL BOOM AND MAIN ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT. THEY ALSO REPORTED THEY RAN THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT WITH NO LOAD ON IT AND SAID IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THEY REPORTED THE WINDS WERE VARIABLE AND THERE WERE GUSTS AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF.
FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER CLIMB RATE AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A CONFINED AREA. FACTORS INCLUDE GUSTY WINDS AND HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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