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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 26, 1983 · Enstrom F28F · N8621X

Chino, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 26, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Chino, CA
Aircraft
Enstrom F28F
Tail Number
N8621X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX84LA035

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED AN IN-FLT FIRE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN DURING A FLT TEST FOLLOWING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE FLYING AT 500 FT AGL IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN SMOKE BEGAN ENTERING THE COCKPIT. ALLGAUGES AND SYSTEMS SEEMED TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE SMOKE INCREASED AND AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON THE RAMP. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE PLT REQUESTED ASSISTANCE VIA TOWER OF THE FIRE DEPT. THE PASSENGER GRABBED THE ONBOARD FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND DISCHARGED IT ON THE FIRE. THE FIRE WAS NOT EXTINGUISHED. ABOUT 2 MINUTES LATER THE FIRE DEPT PUT IT OUT WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT A CLAMP (ENSTROM P/N LW 13464) THAT SECURES THE TURBOCHARGER TO ITS EXHAUST PIPE HAD SEPARATED IN-FLT. HOT EXHAUST CASES BURNED THE COWLING AND THE FIREWALL BUCKLED. HEAT IGNITED MATERIAL IN THE COCKPIT. EXAMINATION OF THE CLAMP SHOWED IT FAILED AT A SPOT WELD. THE CHEMICAL AGENT IN THE ACFT FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS DESCRIBED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS INEFFECTIVE AGAINST ALUMINUM OR MAGNESIUM FIRES.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED AN IN-FLT FIRE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN DURING A FLT TEST FOLLOWING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE FLYING AT 500 FT AGL IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN SMOKE BEGAN ENTERING THE COCKPIT. ALLGAUGES AND SYSTEMS SEEMED TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE SMOKE INCREASED AND AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON THE RAMP. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE PLT REQUESTED ASSISTANCE VIA TOWER OF THE FIRE DEPT. THE PASSENGER GRABBED THE ONBOARD FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND DISCHARGED IT ON THE FIRE. THE FIRE WAS NOT EXTINGUISHED. ABOUT 2 MINUTES LATER THE FIRE DEPT PUT IT OUT WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT A CLAMP (ENSTROM P/N LW 13464) THAT SECURES THE TURBOCHARGER TO ITS EXHAUST PIPE HAD SEPARATED IN-FLT. HOT EXHAUST CASES BURNED THE COWLING AND THE FIREWALL BUCKLED. HEAT IGNITED MATERIAL IN THE COCKPIT. EXAMINATION OF THE CLAMP SHOWED IT FAILED AT A SPOT WELD. THE CHEMICAL AGENT IN THE ACFT FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS DESCRIBED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS INEFFECTIVE AGAINST ALUMINUM OR MAGNESIUM FIRES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:55 PDT
Nearest AirportCHINO (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireBoth
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEnstrom F28F
Tail NumberN8621X
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-FIAD · Reciprocating · 205
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility55 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data