SDR 97ZZZX3758

Service difficulty report · Seat · Enstrm F28F

Difficulty date
June 25, 1997
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N99YC
Make and model
Enstrm F28F
Aircraft serial
809
Part
Seat
Condition
Deformed
Location
Rt Pax Seat
Part time
48 hours
Stage of operation
CL
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
A

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

THIN COMPOSIT BENCH SEAT ACROSS 15.50 INCH WIDE ALUMINUM SEAT STRUCTURE. NOT ADEQUATE FOR TWO PASSENGERS. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHEN A VALVE ROCKER ARM SHAFT FELL OUT OF THE ENGINE AND A DEFECTIVE LOW ROTOR RPM WARNING HORN RESULTED IN A CRASH LANDING AND DAMAGE TO ALL MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE HELICOPTER. THE THIN COMPOSIT SEAT BOTTOM DEFORMED AND EACH PASSENGER'S PELVIS WAS TWISTED BY THE IMPACT CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THEIR VERTEBRA, AND A BROKEN RIB AND MANY BRUISES.