# NTSB CHI88LA014: Enstrom F-28A, N9583, Lapeer, MI, October 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1987, 16:58 local (21:58 UTC)
- Place: Lapeer, MI
- Coordinates: 43.039016, -83.320266 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0390&lon=-83.3203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14007
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14007/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA014

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - stabilizer - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - stabilizer - separation (cause)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft coupling - overload
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation

## Analysis

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9583](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9583-1995-01-09), registration cancelled 1995-01-09, S/N 112 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28A
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28A](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28a) (registry code 3300406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 112
- Airframe hours: 1178
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-A1A 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank Manderville, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1987, 21 hours before
- Departed: D98, ROMEO, MI
- Destination: LUPTON, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 714 total, 592 in this make and model, 505 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 14 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FNT, 20 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19871031061589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871031061589A), Oct 31, 1987: Enstrm F28A, Lapeer, MI, Substantial damage. Shortly after level off the right horizontal stabilizer broke off. Damaged tail rotor system. Made a safe landing.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.