Enstrom Helicopter Corp 280C — registry & accident history
Compiled from FAA & NTSB records · as of Jul 25, 2026
There are 159 Enstrom Helicopter Corp 280C airframes on record (built 1976–1982), 48 currently registered. 7 have one or more NTSB accident records (7 records total, 1 with a fatal highest-injury classification). Data as of Jul 25, 2026.
Recent Enstrom Helicopter Corp 280C accidents
The pilot’s failure to maintain engine and rotor rpm during takeoff, that resulted in a hard landing.
The pilot’s improper manual engine mixture management which resulted in a loss of power. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s improper setting of the idle mixture adjustment and the pilot’s decision to take off with a known mechanical deficiency.
The failure of the tail rotor drive shaft at the coupling due to torsionally applied shear stress.
The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot’s inadequate in-flight fuel management.
The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor RPM during the takeoff run in a high density altitude environment, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with terrain.
The pilot's improper use of the helicopter's collective both during the takeoff sequence and while attempting remedial action in response to an engine over-boost condition, which resulted in a hard precautionary landing.