# NTSB LAX91LA188: Enstrom F28C, N214MM, Palm Springs, CA, April 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1991, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Palm Springs, CA
- Location: 33.8303° N, 116.5453° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palm Springs, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8303&lon=-116.5453&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27185
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27185/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA188

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM RESULTING IN AN ENGINE POWER LOSS AND INFLIGHT FIRE DUE TO A LOOSE FUEL CONNECTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system,line - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,line - leak (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Fire, climb - to cruise
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING CLIMB THE PILOT NOTICED THAT THE ENG WAS NOT DEVELOPING FULL POWER. HE ALSO SMELLED FUEL WHEN THE HEATER VALVE WAS OPENED. THE ENG BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE HELICOPTER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A CANYON BOTTOM COLLIDING WITH SMALL TREES. AFTER LANDING THE PILOT EXTINGUISHED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FUEL INLET LINE CONNECTOR TO THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS FOUND LOOSE. IN ADDITION, A CONNECTOR ON THE UPPER DECK MANIFOLD PRESSURE LINE ATTACHED TO THE TURBOCHARGER INDUCTION TUBE WAS FOUND LOOSE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE SMELLED FUEL ON 3/30, 4/12, AND 4/28, AND REPORTED THIS TO THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY FOR CORRECTION. A 100-HR INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED ON 4/11, 20.8 HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N214MM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 355
- Airframe hours: 1113
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-EIAD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Randy Testman
- Registered owner: Randy Testman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 11, 1991, 20 hours before
- Destination: L12, REDLANDS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 585 total, 400 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910429013139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910429013139A), Apr 29, 1991: Enstrm F28C, Palm Springs, CA, Substantial damage. Fuel odor,smoke in engine area,lost power. Autorotated into trees. Put out fire. Recent check. Loose fuel line b nuts

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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