What happened
On February 2, 2026, at approximately 13:01 MST, an Enstrom F-28C helicopter, registration N5692Y, was involved in an accident near Leeds, Utah. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use.
Witnesses reported that the pilot attempted to take off from a driveway for a local flight. During the initial phase, the helicopter reached a hover that witnesses described as unstable, leading the pilot to attempt a landing. However, witnesses then observed an increase in main rotor RPM followed by a near-vertical climb. Upon reaching an altitude of approximately 80 feet above the ground, the helicopter suddenly descended, striking a tree with its tail rotor before the main rotor blades impacted the ground. The aircraft came to rest on its left side, roughly 40 feet from the departure point.
The pilot reported that the aircraft lacked sufficient power to maintain altitude, resulting in a loss of control. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries and 0 fatalities. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, landing gear, main rotor, and tail rotor.