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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 11, 2001 · Enstrom F-28C · N5687H

Orlando, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 11, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Orlando, FL
Aircraft
Enstrom F-28C
Tail Number
N5687H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA01LA097

The flight had climbed to about 250 to 300 feet, when the engine began to run rough and the pilot noticed smoke coming from the engine. A forced landing was made, with power, in a fairgrounds, and upon landing the passengers and pilot evacuated the helicopter. A fire started from the turbocharger exhaust, causing the aluminum shroud to burn. The pilot attempted to extinguish the fire, but ran out of fire fighting agent. The fire began again, and destroyed the helicopter before the fire department arrived. Examination of the turbocharger exhaust revealed that the exhaust stack had broken, allowing the hot exhaust (1,500 degrees C) to ignite the aluminum engine shroud.

NTSB Probable Cause

a fire due to a broken and separated turbocharger exhaust which allowed hot exhaust to ignite the engine shroud.

Full Narrative

On March 10, 2001, about 2015 eastern standard time, an Enstrom F-28C helicopter, N5687H, registered to Helicopter Resources Inc., operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 sightseeing flight, lost power and was forced to land in a fairground's parking lot, near Orlando, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed. The helicopter was destroyed. The airline transport rated-pilot, and two passengers, reported no injuries. The flight departed at an unknown time. According to the pilot the flight had climbed to about 250 to 300 feet, when the engine began to run rough and the pilot noticed smoke coming from the engine. He immediately landed the helicopter, with power, and upon landing the passengers and pilot evacuated the helicopter. A fire started from the turbocharger exhaust, causing the aluminum shroud to burn. The pilot used a hand held fire extinguisher to fight the fire and almost had the fire extinguished, but ran out of fire fighting agent. The fire began again, and destroyed the helicopter before the fire department arrived. Examination of the turbocharger exhaust revealed that the exhaust stack had broken, allowing the hot exhaust (1,500 degrees C) to ignite the aluminum engine shroud.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:15 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEnstrom F-28C
Tail NumberN5687H
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-E1A0 · Reciprocating · 205
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind30° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.01 inHg
Observation Time01:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data