Enstrom F28F accident near Bradford, New Hampshire, December 12, 1988
On December 12, 1988 at about 5:00 pm local time, a Enstrom F28F (helicopter), registered N5699M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bradford, New Hampshire. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
AN INFLIGHT CONTACT WITH TREES DURING TAKEOFF AFTER THE STUDENT PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO HIS FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE WINDS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 12, 1988 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Bradford, New Hampshire
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Enstrom F28F · all F28Fs on the register
- Registration
- N5699M · no longer on the register · serial 509
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ENSTROM F28, PILOTED BY A STUDENT PILOT, MADE A TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE PAD ON THE PILOT'S PROPERTY. AFTER GETTING THE HELICOPTER TO A HOVER, THE PILOT REPORTED THE HELICOPTER FELT AS IF IT HAD BEEN PUT IN A SEVERE FORWARD ATTITUDE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A HARD LANDING ON THE PAD, HOWEVER, HE WAS NOW ALMOST OFF THE PAD AND TREES WERE 25 FEET AHEAD. THE MAIN ROTORS CONTACTED TREES. THE PILOT SAID THE FLIGHT CONTROLS WERE WRENCHED FROM HIS HANDS AND THE TAIL STRUCK A STONE WALL. THE FAA REPORTED THAT THE PILOT SAID HE TOOK OFF WITH A TAILWIND.
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: student
- Flight time: 119 hours in all; 96 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 4 as pilot in command; 115 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,617 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, November 21, 1988; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,950 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-360-F1AD (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Bradford NH at 5:00 pm
- Destination: CON Concord NH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 7 knots
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 9°F (-13°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.