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NTSB Report
April 29, 1991 · Enstrom F28C · N214MM
Palm Springs, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 29, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Palm Springs, CA
Aircraft
Enstrom F28C
Tail Number
N214MM
Operator
Randy Testman
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91LA188
DURING CLIMB THE PILOT NOTICED THAT THE ENG WAS NOT DEVELOPING FULL POWER. HE ALSO SMELLED FUEL WHEN THE HEATER VALVE WAS OPENED. THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE HELICOPTER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A CANYON BOTTOM COLLIDING WITH SMALL TREES. AFTER LANDING THE PILOT EXTINGUISHED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FUEL INLET LINE CONNECTOR TO THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS FOUND LOOSE. IN ADDITION, A CONNECTOR ON THE UPPER DECK MANIFOLD PRESSURE LINE ATTACHED TO THE TURBOCHARGER INDUCTION TUBE WAS FOUND LOOSE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE SMELLED FUEL ON 3/30, 4/12, AND 4/28, AND REPORTED THIS TO THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY FOR CORRECTION. A 100-HR INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED ON 4/11, 20.8 HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM RESULTING IN AN ENGINE POWER LOSS AND INFLIGHT FIRE DUE TO A LOOSE FUEL CONNECTION.
Full Narrative
DURING CLIMB THE PILOT NOTICED THAT THE ENG WAS NOT DEVELOPING FULL POWER. HE ALSO SMELLED FUEL WHEN THE HEATER VALVE WAS OPENED. THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE HELICOPTER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A CANYON BOTTOM COLLIDING WITH SMALL TREES. AFTER LANDING THE PILOT EXTINGUISHED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FUEL INLET LINE CONNECTOR TO THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS FOUND LOOSE. IN ADDITION, A CONNECTOR ON THE UPPER DECK MANIFOLD PRESSURE LINE ATTACHED TO THE TURBOCHARGER INDUCTION TUBE WAS FOUND LOOSE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE SMELLED FUEL ON 3/30, 4/12, AND 4/28, AND REPORTED THIS TO THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY FOR CORRECTION. A 100-HR INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED ON 4/11, 20.8 HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftEnstrom F28C
Tail NumberN214MM
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRandy Testman
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-EIAD · Reciprocating · 205
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO