# NTSB CHI93LA147: Enstrom F28F, N81HF, Middle River, MN, April 24, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1993, 19:45 local (Apr 24, 1993, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Middle River, MN
- Coordinates: 48.430732, -96.160049 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4307&lon=-96.1600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15702/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA147

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM'S MAGNETO.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT MISS IN THE ENGINE PRIOR TO A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. TRYING TO AVOID POWERLINES IN FRONT OF HIM, THE PILOT TURNED THE AIRCRAFT 180 DEGREES INTO THE WIND, BUT WASN'T ABLE TO PICK UP ENOUGH SPEED FOR A GOOD AUTO-ROTATION AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.  FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THE IGNITION VIBRATOR, PART NUMBER 10-382780-12, WAS INOPERATIVE, CAUSING THE ENGINE FAILURE.  A MECHANIC FILED AND ADJUSTED THE POINTS IN THE VIBRATOR, AND WAS THEN ABLE TO OBTAIN AND PROVIDE SPARK TO THE SPARKPLUGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N81HF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28F
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 513
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-FIAD 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chaplinski, Charles A.
- Registered owner: Chaplinski, Charles A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1992, 30 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 660 total, 60 in this make and model, 660 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 10 knots, gusting 13
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F

## 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 19930424010479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930424010479A), Apr 24, 1993: Enstrm F28F, Middle River, MN, Substantial damage. Lost power at low altitude downwind. Rotor decay. Chopped tail landing. Ignition vibrator had corroded points.

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.