Enstrom F-28A accident near Mason, New Hampshire, July 3, 1987
On July 3, 1987 at about 9:55 pm local time, a Enstrom F-28A (helicopter), registered N9271, was destroyed in an accident near Mason, New Hampshire. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL AFTER THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE TREES AND DEPARTED THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN FLYING IN WEATHER CONDITIONS BEYOND HIS CAPABILITIES WAS A FACTOR.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 3, 1987 · about 9:55 pm local time
- Place
- Mason, New Hampshire
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Enstrom F-28A · all F-28As on the register
- Registration
- N9271 · no longer on the register · serial 246
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER WAS HEARD CIRCLING THE AREA FOR ABOUT 4-1/2 MINUTES BEFORE CRASHING. THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK TREES AND SEPARATED. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE TOPS OF TREES WERE OBSCURED BY FOG. NONE OF THE WITNESSES HEARD ANY INTERRUPTION OF POWER.
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: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 685 hours in all; 685 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 685 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 21, 1987; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360C1B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Hollis NH at 9:15 pm
- Destination: Rindge NH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:46 am from MHT, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.