Low altitude operation/event: Enstrom 280FX Shark, N402TA, accident occurred on March 15, 2025, near Waterford, California

• Location: Waterford, California 
• Accident Number: WPR25LA112 
• Date & Time: March 15, 2025, 11:00 Local 
• Registration: N402TA 
• Aircraft: Enstrom 280FX 
• Aircraft Damage: Destroyed 
• Defining Event: Low altitude operation/event 
• Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199873/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199873

A witness video showed the helicopter flying very low over a lake before it impacted the water. During postaccident interviews with news outlets, the pilot stated he and a passenger were flying the helicopter low over clear water, when his “depth perception got a little off”, and he drove the helicopter into the water. The helicopter fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades were substantially damaged. The pilot did not complete a NTSB Form 6120.1 Accident/Incident Report.

- Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water while operating at a low altitude.