# Accident 19920825050879A: Helio H391B, Everett, WA, August 25, 1992

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 25, 1992, 20:40 local time
- Place: Everett, WA
- Airport: Snohomish County - Paine Fld
- Damage: Destroyed
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 47.8007° N, 122.3702° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8007&lon=-122.3702&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4431U, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4431U) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Helio H-391B (registry code 4300106, https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-391b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H391B
- Reported engine: LYC GO435
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 3,000 total, 190 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA92LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA191) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920825050879A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

LOST PARTIAL POWER. UNABLE REACH AIRPORT. DITCHED IN BAY. NR4 EXHAUST VALVE WAS SEIZED IN OPEN POSITION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA92LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA191), Aug 26, 1992: Helio H-391B (N4431U), Edmonds, WA, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHEN AN EXHAUST VALVE SEIZED IN THE OPEN POSITION AND THE WATER WHERE THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO LAND, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACFT NOSE OVER ON TOUCHDOWN.

## Other reports on N4431U (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20250818013389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250818013389A), Aug 18, 2025: Helio H-391B (N4431U), Monroe, MI, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control attempting to land with a crosswind. The aircraft turned 90 degrees right into the wind and skidded on the left main wheel. Upon exiting the…
- [Accident 19831119063709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831119063709A), Nov 19, 1983: Helio H391B (N4431U), Hood River, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot gound looped aircraft during landing when he attempted high speed turn off of runway.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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