# Accident 20001006041779A: Helio H295, Lake Clark Pass, AK, October 6, 2000

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 6, 2000, 15:30 local time
- Place: Lake Clark Pass, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 60.1999° N, 154.2792° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1999&lon=-154.2792&mi=10
- Aircraft: N295BA, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N295BA-2023-04-01) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Helio H-295 (registry code 4300802, https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-295) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H295
- Reported engine: LYC GO480G1D6
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 30,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 48 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC01LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA003) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001006041779A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON OCTOBER 6, 2000, A HELIO COURIER 295 AIRPLANE N295BA, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN LAKE CLARK PASS, ALASKA. PILOTED BY JAMES R. BRANHAM, A ATP RATED PILOT, WHO SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A COMPANY FLIGHT PLAN. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE ENGINE QUIT OPERATING. RESTART WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. AIRCRAFT LANDED UPRIGHT IN SMALL TREES AND BRUSH. INSPECTION OF AIRCRAFT ON OCTOBER 17, 2000 AT BIG LAKE, ALASKA AIRPORT, REVEALED FUEL CONTAMINATION. WATER WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR AND IN THE FUEL GASCOLATOR. NOTE: IT IS SUSPECTED THAT THE WATER FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR AND GASCOLATOR HAD BEEN INTRAINED IN THE FUEL AND MAY HAVE BEEN UNDETECTABLE BY THE PILOT DURING PREFLIGHT SUMPING.

## 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 ANC01LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA003), Oct 6, 2000: Helio H-295 (N295BA), Port Alsworth, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to remove all water from the fuel system. A factor associated with the accident was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.

## Other reports on N295BA (1)

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

- [Accident 20070930022269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070930022269A), Sep 30, 2007: Helio H295 (N295BA), King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage, 4 fatal. (-23) At approximately 1720 Alaska daylight time, N295BA a Helio H-295, collided with trees and tundra about 40 miles northeast of King Salmon, Alaska. The…

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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