Since delivering their first helicopter shortly after
Federal Aviation Administration type certification of the F-28 model in April 1965, Enstrom helicopter has produced, as of 2007[update], approximately 1,200 aircraft.[2]
The company produces three models, the F-28, the more aerodynamic 280 and the turbine-powered 480, each with their own variants. The F-28 and 280 both use Lycoming piston engines, virtually identical to those found in general aviation fixed-wing aircraft.[1]
Aerodynamically refined version of the F28C-2, equipped with an upgraded engine, fitted with a turbocharger. Certified 1975[1]
280L Hawk
Stretched cabin four-seat version, first flying in December 1968. Development halted due to lack of funds.[citation needed]
280F
Similar to 280C with more powerful engine, improved turbocharger and addition of a throttle correlator. Certified December 1980[3]
280FX
Based on the 280F with landing gear fairings, redesigned air intakes on top of the cabin and a redesigned and relocated horizontal stabilizer with vertical end plates. Certified in January 1985[3]
Operators
Civil operators
The aircraft is operated by a large number of small commercial and
flight training operators, most operating one or two aircraft.
On 22 October 1986, an Enstrom F-28F Falcon suffered a mechanical failure at an altitude of 75 feet (23 meters) over
Manhattan in
New York City due to the installation of an improper
clutch, struck a fence, and crashed into the
Hudson River during a traffic report by
WNBC 660 AM radio flying traffic reporter
Jane Dornacker. The broadcast captured her shouting "Hit the water! Hit the water! Hit the water!" as the helicopter went down. The pilot survived with serious injuries, but Dornacker died on the way to the hospital.[11]
On 26 January 2015, an Enstrom 280FX crashed at
Erie, Colorado, following the separation of its main rotor blades, killing both the student and instructor on board. The accident was caused by a failure of the main rotor spindle as a result of a crack. The accident resulted in the issuance of an Emergency
Airworthiness Directive (AD) by the United States
Federal Aviation Administration on 12 February 2015 grounding more than 300 helicopters. The AD requires a
magnetic particle inspection to detect cracks in the main rotor spindle in aircraft with more than 5,000 hours and requires replacing the spindle if cracked.[12]
On 1 December 2023 an Enstrom 280FX crashed into a car on a Madrid motorway, leaving three people injured.[13]
Specifications (F28F)
Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory[14]
Elliott, Bryn (May–June 1999). "On the Beat: The First 60 Years of Britain's Air Police, Part Two". Air Enthusiast (81): 64–69.
ISSN0143-5450.
Foster, Peter R. (Autumn 1997). "Air Power Analysis: Part One: Columbia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Peru, Surinam and Venezuela". World Air Power Journal. Vol. 30. pp. 132–157.
ISBN1-86184-004-7.
ISSN0959-7050.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Enstrom F-28.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Enstrom 280.
Since delivering their first helicopter shortly after
Federal Aviation Administration type certification of the F-28 model in April 1965, Enstrom helicopter has produced, as of 2007[update], approximately 1,200 aircraft.[2]
The company produces three models, the F-28, the more aerodynamic 280 and the turbine-powered 480, each with their own variants. The F-28 and 280 both use Lycoming piston engines, virtually identical to those found in general aviation fixed-wing aircraft.[1]
Aerodynamically refined version of the F28C-2, equipped with an upgraded engine, fitted with a turbocharger. Certified 1975[1]
280L Hawk
Stretched cabin four-seat version, first flying in December 1968. Development halted due to lack of funds.[citation needed]
280F
Similar to 280C with more powerful engine, improved turbocharger and addition of a throttle correlator. Certified December 1980[3]
280FX
Based on the 280F with landing gear fairings, redesigned air intakes on top of the cabin and a redesigned and relocated horizontal stabilizer with vertical end plates. Certified in January 1985[3]
Operators
Civil operators
The aircraft is operated by a large number of small commercial and
flight training operators, most operating one or two aircraft.
On 22 October 1986, an Enstrom F-28F Falcon suffered a mechanical failure at an altitude of 75 feet (23 meters) over
Manhattan in
New York City due to the installation of an improper
clutch, struck a fence, and crashed into the
Hudson River during a traffic report by
WNBC 660 AM radio flying traffic reporter
Jane Dornacker. The broadcast captured her shouting "Hit the water! Hit the water! Hit the water!" as the helicopter went down. The pilot survived with serious injuries, but Dornacker died on the way to the hospital.[11]
On 26 January 2015, an Enstrom 280FX crashed at
Erie, Colorado, following the separation of its main rotor blades, killing both the student and instructor on board. The accident was caused by a failure of the main rotor spindle as a result of a crack. The accident resulted in the issuance of an Emergency
Airworthiness Directive (AD) by the United States
Federal Aviation Administration on 12 February 2015 grounding more than 300 helicopters. The AD requires a
magnetic particle inspection to detect cracks in the main rotor spindle in aircraft with more than 5,000 hours and requires replacing the spindle if cracked.[12]
On 1 December 2023 an Enstrom 280FX crashed into a car on a Madrid motorway, leaving three people injured.[13]
Specifications (F28F)
Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory[14]
Elliott, Bryn (May–June 1999). "On the Beat: The First 60 Years of Britain's Air Police, Part Two". Air Enthusiast (81): 64–69.
ISSN0143-5450.
Foster, Peter R. (Autumn 1997). "Air Power Analysis: Part One: Columbia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Peru, Surinam and Venezuela". World Air Power Journal. Vol. 30. pp. 132–157.
ISBN1-86184-004-7.
ISSN0959-7050.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Enstrom F-28.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Enstrom 280.