# Accident 20010303002509A: Helio H295, March 3, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 3, 2001, 13:00 local time
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 64.1786° N, 149.4375° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.1786&lon=-149.4375&mi=10
- Aircraft: N42DC, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42DC-2001-08-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Helio H-295 (registry code 4300802, https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-295) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H295
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC01LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA039) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010303002509A

## Narrative

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

(-23) DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND SHAKE EXCESSIVELY, AT WHICH TIME THE PILOT SAID THAT THE THROTTLE WAS REDUCED TO HALF TO TRY TO GET THE ENGINE TO MAINTAIN SOME FORM OF POWER TO REACH A SUITABLE LANDING SITE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT RETARDING THE THROTTLE TO HALF DID NOT HELP AND THE ENGINE QUIT AT THIS TIME WITH OIL COVERING THE WINDSHIELD AND SMOKE FILLING THE COCKPIT. THE PILOT THEN STATED THAT THE FUEL WAS TURNED OFF TO THE ENIGNE AND CONDUCTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN THE TREES. THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER LANDING THE COWLING WAS REMOVED AND A HOLE WAS NOTED IN THE TOP OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE CRANKCASE BETWEEN THE NUMBER 2 AND NUMBER 4 CYLINDERS. (-19) ON MARCH 3, 2001, ABOUT 1300 ALASKA STANDARD TIME, WAWHEEL/SKI EQUIPPED HELIO H-295 AIRPLANE, N42DC, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING A FORCED LANDING ABOUT 20 MILES SOUTH OF CLEAR, ALASKA. THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING OPERATED AS A VISUAL FLIGHT RULES (VFR) POSITIONING FLIGHT UNDER TITLE 14, CFR PART 91, WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE AIRPLANE WAS REGISTERED TO, AND OPERATED BY, WRIGHT AIR SERVICE, INC., FAIRBANKS, ALASKA. THE SOLO AIRLINE T                                RANSPORT PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND A VFR FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT THE STAMPEDE AIRSTRIP, ABOUT 1250, AND WAS ENROUTE TO FAIRBANKS. DURING A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD INVESTIGATOR-IN-CHARGE ON MARCH5, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE IN LEVEL, CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, AND LOSE POWER. THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE PERFORMING THE ENGINE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, HE SMELLED SMOKE IN THE CABIN, AND NOTED A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OR ENGINE OIL ON THE WINDSCREEN. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING, AND SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE WINGS, FUSELAGE AND EMPENNAGE. THE PILOT STATED THAT A POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A FIST-SIZED HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE CRANKCASE.

## 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 ANC01LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA039), Mar 3, 2001: Helio H-295 (N42DC), Clear, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The shifting of engine connecting rod bearings, and the fracture of an engine connecting rod.

## Other reports on N42DC (2)

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

- [Accident 19940408010559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940408010559A), Apr 8, 1994: Helio H295 (N42DC), Manley Hot Spri, AK, Substantial damage. Lost power. Landed on frozen lake. Fuel vent bent. Allowed snow to pack. Reduced fuel flow. Bent by snow removal.
- [Accident 19930815032749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930815032749A), Aug 15, 1993: Helio H295 (N42DC), Mt Deborah, AK, Substantial damage. Right main landing gear collapsed on landing at remote strip. Upper weld failed. Prior repair improperly heated.

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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