Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
Premium research interface
The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.
Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.
63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Search everything
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Featured Report
Safety trends by operating rule
Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.
Loading trend charts…
High-signal investigations
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
Browse the aviation graph
Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.
Last Data Update
By Decade
By Month
Aircraft Manufacturer
More manufacturersAirports
More airportsOperators
More operatorsAbout
Aviation safety reports, made easier to study
NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.
The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.
The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.
FAQs
NTSB Report
July 13, 1988 · Enstrom F-28F · N8620C
Haines, AK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 13, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Haines, AK
Aircraft
Enstrom F-28F
Tail Number
N8620C
Operator
L a B Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA88LA127
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.
Full Narrative
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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:10 AKDT
Nearest AirportHaines Airport (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftEnstrom F-28F
Tail NumberN8620C
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorL a B Flying Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HTIO-360-F1AD · Reciprocating · 225
Seats3
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 5 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingOvercast 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time11:45
Weather SourceWFAC