# NTSB WPR26LA094: Enstrom F28C, N5692Y, Leeds, UT, February 2, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: February 2, 2026, 13:01 local (20:01 UTC)
- Place: Leeds, UT · Beside owner/pilots' residence
- Coordinates: 37.2521, -113.35386 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2521&lon=-113.3539&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202380
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA094
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202380/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA094

## Preliminary report

On February 2, 2026, at about 1301 mountain standard time, an Enstrom F-28C helicopter, registration N5692Y, was substantially damaged near Leeds, Utah. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. At the time of the accident, the helicopter was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight Witnesses observed the pilot attempting to take off from his driveway for a local flight. The helicopter lifted off the ground to a hover, which the witnesses described as “unstable,” prompting the pilot to land. Witnesses heard an increase in main rotor RPM followed by a near vertical climb. Upon reaching about 80 feet above ground level, the helicopter suddenly descended, struck a tree with its tail rotor and subsequently impacted the ground with the main rotor blades. The helicopter came to rest on its left side about 40 feet from its departure point. During the accident sequence, the main rotor, tail rotor, landing gear and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that he did not have sufficient power to maintain altitude and lost control of the helicopter. The helicopter was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Enstrom F-28C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=3300407), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Enstrom F-28C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3300407), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244); cases with it: [Enstrom F-28C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?model=3300407), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5692Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5692Y), registered now, S/N 494-2, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ENSTROM F28C
- Registry model: [Enstrom F-28C](https://openairdocs.org/model/enstrom-f-28c) (registry code 3300407) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 494-2
- Year built: 1980
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 13, 2024, 1,415.6 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: None
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: SGU, 15 nm away
- METAR: METAR KSGU 021956Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 15/M04 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP219 T01501039=

## 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 20260202007429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260202007429A), Feb 2, 2026: Leeds, UT, Substantial damage. Witnesses saw the pilot attempting to take off from his driveway for a local flight. The helicopter lifted off into a hover, which witnesses described as…

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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