# NTSB DEN85LA094: Enstrom F-28L, N51671, Salt Lake City, UT, March 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1985, 18:45 local (Mar 14, 1985, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Salt Lake City, UT
- Location: 40.7608° N, 111.8910° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Salt Lake City, UT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7608&lon=-111.8910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16649
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16649/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA094

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - ignition system,magneto - clearance (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE ACFT ENG LOST PWR ON FINAL APCH AT APRX 100 FT AGL. THE TAIL BOOM WAS SEVERED DURING THE AUTOROTATIONAL LANDING ON SOFT GROUND. POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MAGNETO POINT GAP WAS EXCESSIVELY CLOSED. DURING ENG TEST RUN, WHEN THE LEFT MAGNETO 'P' LEAD WAS DISCONNECTED, THE ENG OPERATED ON THE RIGHT MAG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51671](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51671-2013-04-01), registration cancelled 2013-04-01, S/N 402 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28L
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28c) (registry code 3300407) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 402
- Airframe hours: 351
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-E1AD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Prudential Capital Group Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 29, 1984, 30 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 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 19850313009569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850313009569A), Mar 13, 1985: Enstrm F28C, Salt Lake City, UT, Substantial damage. Engine quit, landed in soft ground, tailboom hit by main rotor. Magneto points closed, adjusted four months prior.

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.

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