Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain engine and rotor rpm during takeoff, that resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the helicopter reported that, after completing an aerial application, he returned to the mix vehicle for an additional load. While reloading the helicopter, he noticed the wind direction was changing and “blowing harder” and may have shifted to a quartering tailwind. During takeoff from the mix vehicle, the engine and main rotor blade rpm started to decay. He aborted the takeoff and made a run on landing to an open field near the mix vehicle. During the landing the main rotor blades tilted aft and severed the tailboom. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR25LA010 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 9, 2024
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Vale, Oregon
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Enstrom Helicopter Corp 280C
- N-number
- N646H
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1977
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.