The first flight test vehicle for the Enstrom TH180 suffered an emergency hard landing during a flight test in Menominee, Mich. The incident resulted in no injuries. City of Menominee Photo
Enstrom Helicopter Corporation’s new two-seat training helicopter, the TH180, experienced an emergency hard landing during a flight test in Menominee, Mich., Friday, the manufacturer reported.
“There were no injuries or casualties and the pilot walked away from the helicopter,” Enstrom said in a statement. “Enstrom personnel were on-site shortly after the incident to assist with the clearing of the helicopter to begin an investigation of the incident.”
The aircraft was the manufacturer’s first — and to date, only — flight test vehicle for the new type, and a company spokesperson told Vertical that the aircraft appeared to have taken “significant damage,” as they worked to clear it from the scene. The aircraft was brought back to Enstrom’s facility, where the company will begin its investigation and analysis of the incident.
Originally announced at HAI Heli-Expo 2014, the TH180 is a new, two-seat training helicopter based on the Enstrom F28F, and powered by a Lycoming IO-390 engine. At the time of its unveiling, Enstrom told Vertical that the TH180 would differ from the 280FX by having a two-place rather three-place cabin, and through modifications to the pylon, tail cone and landing gear. The goal was to reduce the aircraft’s weight, fuel, consumption, and direct operating costs for the training mission. The company also said the price of the helicopter would be less than $400,000.
When Enstrom unveiled the TH180, it targeted certification in late 2015, although this was subsequently moved to 2016. Although the next TH180 flight test aircraft is already in production (and is expected to be ready for its first flight in two or three months), Enstrom said it was still too early to say to what extent today’s incident might impact the aircraft’s overall development schedule.
