# NTSB LAX84LA035: Enstrom F28F, N8621X, Chino, CA, October 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1983, 11:55 local (18:55 UTC)
- Place: Chino, CA
- Coordinates: 33.999698, -117.679779 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9997&lon=-117.6798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24073/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA035

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - exhaust system,turbocharger - disconnected (cause)
  - exhaust system,clamp - failure,total (cause)
  - exhaust system,clamp - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - fire extinguisher,portable - improper (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fire extinguisher,portable - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, passenger (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED AN IN-FLT FIRE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN DURING A FLT TEST FOLLOWING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE FLYING AT 500 FT AGL IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN SMOKE BEGAN ENTERING THE COCKPIT. ALLGAUGES AND SYSTEMS SEEMED TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY. THE SMOKE INCREASED AND AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE ON THE RAMP. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE PLT REQUESTED ASSISTANCE VIA TOWER OF THE FIRE DEPT. THE PASSENGER GRABBED THE ONBOARD FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND DISCHARGED IT ON THE FIRE. THE FIRE WAS NOT EXTINGUISHED. ABOUT 2 MINUTES LATER THE FIRE DEPT PUT IT OUT WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT A CLAMP (ENSTROM P/N LW 13464) THAT SECURES THE TURBOCHARGER TO ITS EXHAUST PIPE HAD SEPARATED IN-FLT. HOT EXHAUST CASES BURNED THE COWLING AND THE FIREWALL BUCKLED. HEAT IGNITED MATERIAL IN THE COCKPIT. EXAMINATION OF THE CLAMP SHOWED IT FAILED AT A SPOT WELD. THE CHEMICAL AGENT IN THE ACFT FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS DESCRIBED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS INEFFECTIVE AGAINST ALUMINUM OR MAGNESIUM FIRES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8621X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28F
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 710
- Airframe hours: 1491
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-FIAD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Manuel Virissimo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 12, 1983, 18 hours before
- Destination: CNO, CHINO, CA
- Airport: CNO, Chino

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,598 total, 18 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 55 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °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 19831026057389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831026057389A), Oct 26, 1983: Enstrm F28F, Chino, CA, Substantial damage. Engine fire erupted on downwind. Made emergency landing and fire put out. Turbo charger exhaust clamp had failed.

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.