# NTSB ANC83FA022: Enstrom F-28A, N9607, Chugiak, AK, December 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1982, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Chugiak, AK
- Coordinates: 61.410007, -149.1707 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4100&lon=-149.1707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70246
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70246/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA022

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover
- Roll over, hover

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH GROUND AND ROLLED WHILE THE PILOT WAS HOVER TAXIING DOWNWIND. THE WINDS WERE DESCRIBED AS 15 KTS TO GUSTS AS HIGH AS 45 KTS. THE ENSTROM CHIEF ENGINEER REPORTED THAT A DOWNWIND HOVER TENDS TO DECAY THE MAIN ROTOR RPM DUE TO EXCESSIVE USE OF TAILROTOR PEDAL, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH GROSS WEIGHTS. THIS AIRCRAFT WAS NEAR ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9607](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9607-2012-11-20), registration cancelled 2012-11-20, S/N 158, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28A
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28A](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28a) (registry code 3300406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 158
- Airframe hours: 550
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360C1A 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Alyeska Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Aero White, Inc.
- Departed: C, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: C, CHUGIAK, AK
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: Z15, Birchwood Airport, runway 19, 4,000 × 100 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,300 total, 45 in this make and model, 2,100 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 97 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19821206064319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821206064319A), Dec 6, 1982: Enstrm F28A, Chugiak, AK, Substantial damage. Gusty wind and full pedal while hovering caused RPM decay and skid to hit ground moving sideways. Rolled over.

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.