Pilot Debrief

ENSTROM 280 near Zeeland, MI — 2016-06-27

Final reportCEN16IA238
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Date
2016-06-27
Location
Zeeland, MI, USA
Airport
Z98
Aircraft
ENSTROM 280
Registration
N518EG
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Preflight

Probable cause

The exhaust band clamp failure, which resulted in an engine fire due to hot exhaust gases entering the engine compartment.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and student conducted a preflight inspection of the helicopter in preparation for the student's first flight. The flight instructor reported that, after engine start and before takeoff, he saw the lights on the panel flicker and smelled smoke. About the same time, he noticed ground personnel running toward the helicopter. He and the student exited the helicopter, and ground personnel extinguished an engine fire. Examination of the engine's exhaust band clamp assembly revealed that the clamp's two U-shaped retainer portions had fractured at spot weld locations. The incident is consistent with the failure of the exhaust band clamp, which allowed hot exhaust gases to enter the engine compartment and a fire to ensue.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have aborted the flight after noticing panel lights flicker.

NTSB coding

  • Fire/smoke (non-impact) · Standing-engine(s) operating

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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