# NTSB ANC86FA055: Enstrom F28C, N51726, Turnagain, AK, May 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1986, 16:40 local (May 12, 1986, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Turnagain, AK
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4590
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86FA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4590/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86FA055

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission(marked) (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - below, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED FLYING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND IT THEN STRUCK SOME HIGH POWER TRANSMISSION LINES, FELL TO THE GROUND AND BURNED UPON IMPACT. THE TRANSMISSION LINES WERE 283 FEET ABOVE THE ROAD SURFACE AND SPANNED A DISTANCE OF 1127 FEET AND WERE MARKED WITH THREE LARGE RED OBSTRUCTION MARKER BALLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N51726 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 419
- Engines: LYCOMING H10-360-E1AD 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gordon D. Unwin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KENAI, AK
- Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 240 in this make and model, 990 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 19860511016639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860511016639A), May 11, 1986: Enstrm F28C, Turnagain Pass, AK, Destroyed. The helicopter struck wires while operating at a low altitude.

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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