Enstrom F-28A accident near Chugiak, Alaska, December 6, 1982
On December 6, 1982 at about 11:15 pm local time, a Enstrom F-28A (helicopter), registered N9607, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chugiak, Alaska (Birchwood Airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 6, 1982 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Chugiak, Alaska · Birchwood Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Enstrom F-28A · all F-28As on the register
- Registration
- N9607 · no longer on the register · serial 158
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH GROUND AND ROLLED WHILE THE PILOT WAS HOVER TAXIING DOWNWIND. THE WINDS WERE DESCRIBED AS 15 KTS TO GUSTS AS HIGH AS 45 KTS. THE ENSTROM CHIEF ENGINEER REPORTED THAT A DOWNWIND HOVER TENDS TO DECAY THE MAIN ROTOR RPM DUE TO EXCESSIVE USE OF TAILROTOR PEDAL, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH GROSS WEIGHTS. THIS AIRCRAFT WAS NEAR ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,300 hours in all; 45 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 2,100 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 550 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 590 hours since
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360C1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Alyeska Air Service, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: C Anchorage AK at 6:20 pm
- Destination: C Chugiak AK
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 19, 4,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 360° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.