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NTSB Report
October 31, 1987 · Enstrom F-28A · N9583
Lapeer, MI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 31, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lapeer, MI
Aircraft
Enstrom F-28A
Tail Number
N9583
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI88LA014
THE HELICOPTER WAS IN CRUISE FLT WHEN THE RGT SIDE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER ATTACH TUBE FAILED & SEPARATED FROM THE TAIL BOOM, THEN CONTACTED THE TAIL ROTOR. THIS RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT FLEX COUPLING AT THE TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX. IN TURN, THERE WAS A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR THRUST. THE PLT MADE A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION IN AN OPEN FIELD. AN EXAM OF THE RGT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER ATTACH TUBE REVEALED IT HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE AT THE RGT INBOARD ATTACH HOLE. THE FATIGUE ORIGINATED AT A SURFACE DEFECT ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE TUBE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY MISALIGNED DRILLING.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS IN CRUISE FLT WHEN THE RGT SIDE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER ATTACH TUBE FAILED & SEPARATED FROM THE TAIL BOOM, THEN CONTACTED THE TAIL ROTOR. THIS RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT FLEX COUPLING AT THE TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX. IN TURN, THERE WAS A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR THRUST. THE PLT MADE A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION IN AN OPEN FIELD. AN EXAM OF THE RGT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER ATTACH TUBE REVEALED IT HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE AT THE RGT INBOARD ATTACH HOLE. THE FATIGUE ORIGINATED AT A SURFACE DEFECT ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE TUBE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY MISALIGNED DRILLING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:58 EST
Nearest Airport0nm WNW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftEnstrom F-28A
Tail NumberN9583
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 205
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 5 kt
Visibility14 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC