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NTSB Report
September 5, 1987 · Enstrom F-28F · N8622A
Anchorage, AK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Anchorage, AK
Aircraft
Enstrom F-28F
Tail Number
N8622A
Operator
Edward D Arbow
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC87FA137
THE PILOT OF THE HELICOPTER WAS SEEN FLYING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET AGL DOWN THE LENGTH OF A PRIVATE GRAVEL AIRSTRIP NEAR ANCHORAGE, ALASKA. A NEARBY JOGGER SAID THAT THE PILOT APPEARED TO WAVE AT HIM AS HE FLEW PAST AND THEN HE HEARD THE HELICOPTER CRASH SEVERAL SECONDS LATER. THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A TREE WITH ITS MAIN ROTOR BLADE 16'4' ABOVE THE GROUND. THE PILOT, A LOCAL PHYSICIAN, HAD ACCUMULATED APPROXIMATELY 14 HOURS IN THE ENSTROM F-28F OVER THE PRECEEDING 3 YEARS. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS HIS FIRST FLIGHT, OTHER THAN A SHORT FERRY FLIGHT, SINCE THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN PLACED IN STORAGE 10 MONTHS EARLIER.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT OF THE HELICOPTER WAS SEEN FLYING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET AGL DOWN THE LENGTH OF A PRIVATE GRAVEL AIRSTRIP NEAR ANCHORAGE, ALASKA. A NEARBY JOGGER SAID THAT THE PILOT APPEARED TO WAVE AT HIM AS HE FLEW PAST AND THEN HE HEARD THE HELICOPTER CRASH SEVERAL SECONDS LATER. THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A TREE WITH ITS MAIN ROTOR BLADE 16'4' ABOVE THE GROUND. THE PILOT, A LOCAL PHYSICIAN, HAD ACCUMULATED APPROXIMATELY 14 HOURS IN THE ENSTROM F-28F OVER THE PRECEEDING 3 YEARS. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS HIS FIRST FLIGHT, OTHER THAN A SHORT FERRY FLIGHT, SINCE THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN PLACED IN STORAGE 10 MONTHS EARLIER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 AKDT
Nearest AirportCampbell Airstrip (1nm SSW)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftEnstrom F-28F
Tail NumberN8622A
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEdward D Arbow
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360FIAD · Reciprocating · 225
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 10 kt, gusting 5 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 37 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT