Enstrom F-28C accident near Buckner, Missouri, June 14, 1993
On June 14, 1993 at about 5:53 pm local time, a Enstrom F-28C (helicopter), registered N51717, was substantially damaged in an accident near Buckner, Missouri. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE NUT BACKING OFF THE CONNECTING ROD BOLT RESULTING IN ROD FAILURE. A FACTOR INVOLVED IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAKE A RUN ON LANDING.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 14, 1993 · about 5:53 pm local time
- Place
- Buckner, Missouri · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Enstrom F-28C · all F-28Cs on the register
- Registration
- N51717 · no longer on the register · serial 418
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING AN AERIAL OBSERVATION FLIGHT TO INSPECT THE SIBLY-BLUE SPRINGS POWER LINE, THE PILOT AND PASSENGER REPORTED HEARING A 'CLUNK'/'POP' AND FELT A JOLT. THE PILOT STARTED AN IMMEDIATE AUTO ROTATION. WITH NO PLACE FOR A SAFE RUN ON LANDING, THE PILOT MADE A HARD EMERGENCY LANDING. THE HELICOPTER SLIDE NEXT TO A CORRUGATED METAL AND POLE SHED. UPON LANDING, THE PILOT NOTICED THAT A FIRE HAD STARTED IN THE ENGINE AREA. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE ABLE TO EVACUATE THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT AND THE NEARBY POLE SHED WERE COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE ENGINE TEARDOWN SHOWED THE NO. 2 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD WAS IMBEDDED IN THE SKIRT OF THE CYLINDER. A CONNECTING ROD NUT FOUND IN THE CRANKCASE WAS OVALIZED; HOWEVER, THE INTERNAL THREADS APPEARED TO BE FREE OF SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND WERE NOT STRIPPED.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 825 hours in all; 531 in this make and model; 11 in the last 30 days; 741 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,460 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 1992; 42 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 4K3 Lexington MO at 6:35 pm
- Destination: Oak Grove MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:45 pm from MKC, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.