# NTSB SEA88LA127: Enstrom F-28F, N8620C, Haines, AK, July 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1988, 09:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Haines, AK
- Coordinates: 59.160568, -135.859359 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.1606&lon=-135.8594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA127

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, standing - idling rotors
  - rotorcraft flight control,collective control - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,modification - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - collective - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT PURCHASED THE HELICOPTER WITH AN UNDOCUMENTED MODIFICATION DESIGNED TO RESTRAIN THE COLLECTIVE. REPORTEDLY, HERECEIVED NO GUIDANCE REGARDING THE USE OF THE COLLECTIVE HOLD-DOWN DEVICE. ACCORDING TO THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER THERE EXISTED NO ENSTROM APPROVED COLLECTIVE HOLD-DOWN DEVICES OTHER THAN THE INSTALLED FRICTION LOCK. AFTER ENGINE START THE PILOT USED TWO HANDS TO RELEASE THE COLLECTIVE FRICTION. THE ENSTROM F28 'BEFORE TAKEOFF' CHECKLIST WARNS PILOTS TO 'KEEP HAND ON COLLECTIVE AND MAINTAIN DOWN POSITION WHEN (COLLECTIVE) LOCK IS DISENGAGED', AFTER RELEASING THE LOCK THE PILOT SAID THE COLLECTIVE SPRUNG TO THE FULL UP POSITION. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED TO THE LEFT ABOUT ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE RELIED ON THE MODIFICATION, A COLLECTIVE HOLD-DOWN CHAIN, TO KEEP THE COLLECTIVE SECURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8620C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8620C), registered now, S/N 706 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F-28F
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28F](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28f) (registry code 3300412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 706
- Airframe hours: 415
- Engines: LYCOMING HTIO-360-F1AD 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: L.A.B. Flying Service
- Registered owner: Layton A Bennett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 1988, 23 hours before
- Destination: JNU, JUNEAU, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: HNS, Haines Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 30,000 total, 97 in this make and model, 30,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HNS

## 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 19880713065119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880713065119A), Jul 13, 1988: Enstrm F28F, Haines, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot failed to hold down collective with engine idling when friction lock was released. Helicopter 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.

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