Enstrom F-28C N51717

Summary

On 14 June 1993 at about 17:53 local time, a Enstrom F-28C registered N51717 was involved in an accident near Buckner, Missouri, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 June 1993 at 17:53

Classification

Accident

Location

Buckner, Missouri, United States

Coordinates

39.1296, -94.1894

Aircraft

Enstrom F-28C

Registration

N51717

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lexington → Oak Grove

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI93LA212

2 people were seriously injured.

THE NUT BACKING OFF THE CONNECTING ROD BOLT RESULTING IN ROD FAILURE. A FACTOR INVOLVED IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAKE A RUN ON LANDING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING AN AERIAL OBSERVATION FLIGHT TO INSPECT THE SIBLY-BLUE SPRINGS POWER LINE, THE PILOT AND PASSENGER REPORTED HEARING A 'CLUNK'/'POP' AND FELT A JOLT. THE PILOT STARTED AN IMMEDIATE AUTO ROTATION. WITH NO PLACE FOR A SAFE RUN ON LANDING, THE PILOT MADE A HARD EMERGENCY LANDING. THE HELICOPTER SLIDE NEXT TO A CORRUGATED METAL AND POLE SHED. UPON LANDING, THE PILOT NOTICED THAT A FIRE HAD STARTED IN THE ENGINE AREA. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE ABLE TO EVACUATE THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT AND THE NEARBY POLE SHED WERE COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE ENGINE TEARDOWN SHOWED THE NO. 2 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD WAS IMBEDDED IN THE SKIRT OF THE CYLINDER. A CONNECTING ROD NUT FOUND IN THE CRANKCASE WAS OVALIZED; HOWEVER, THE INTERNAL THREADS APPEARED TO BE FREE OF SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND WERE NOT STRIPPED.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.