# Accident 20190621007759A: Helio H-250, Seward, AK, June 21, 2019

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 21, 2019, 17:00 local time
- Place: Seward, AK
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 59.9417° N, 148.6644° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.9417&lon=-148.6644&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6314V, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6314V-2021-09-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Helio H-250 (registry code 4300302, https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-250) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H-250
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 3
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 24,580 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC19FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19FA026) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190621007759A

## Narrative

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

ON FRIDAY, JUNE 21ST, 2019 AT 3:30P, N6314V, A HELIO COURIER H-250, OWNED BY THE PILOT, DEPARTED SEWARD, ALASKA ENROUTE TO A REMOTE, GRASS AIRSTRIP LOCATED NEAR JOHNSTONE BAY, ALASKA APPROXIMATELY 27 MILES EAST OF SEWARD TO PICK UP TWO PASSENGERS WHO HAD BEEN FLOWN OUT TO THEIR REMOTE PROPERTY A FEW DAYS PRIOR BY A LOCAL PART 135 AIR CARRIER, SEWARD AIR TAXI. AFTER LOADING TWO PASSENGERS AT THE AIRSTRIP, IT APPEARS DURING TAKEOFF FROM THE REMOTE STRIP,  TO THE LEFT OF THE END OF THE GRASS STRIP, THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE AT APPROXIMATELY 85 FT. ALTITUDE, AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED FEET OF THE TREE.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONSUMED BY A POST-CRASH FIRE.  THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE FATALLY INJURED.

ACCORDING TO THE OWNER OF SEWARD AIR TAXI, THE TWO DECEASED PASSENGERS HAD CHARTERED SEWARD AIR TAXI, AN FAA PART 135 SINGLE-PILOT OPERATOR, ON JUNE 18TH FOR TRANSPORT TO THEIR PROPERTY LOCATED SOMEWHERE NEAR THE REMOTE AIR STRIP, WITH A CONFIRMED PICKUP DATE OF JUNE 25TH.  DURING THAT TIME, SEWARD AIR TAXI INSTALLED WHEEL SKIS ON THEIR ONLY AIRCRAFT, A CESSNA 185, TO CONDUCT MULTIPLE GLACIER FLIGHTS.

ON JUNE 21ST, SEWARD AIR TAXI RECEIVED A CALL VIA SATELLITE PHONE FROM THE TWO PASSENGERS REQUESTING AN EARLY PICKUP ON THAT DAY.  IN LIEU OF RECONFIGURING THE CESSNA 185 FROM WHEEL SKIS BACK TO TIRES, SEWARD AIR TAXI OPTED TO ACCEPT THE ACCIDENT PILOT?S OFFER TO RETRIEVE THE PASSENGERS ON THE AIR TAXIS BEHALF USING HIS PERSONAL HELIO COURIER AIRCRAFT, N6314V.  THE ACCIDENT PILOT DEPARTED SEWARD AT 3:30P ON JUNE 21ST, AND WAS EXPECTED BACK AROUND 5:00P.  WHEN THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT RETURN, THE OWNER OF SEWARD AIR TAXI FLEW OUT TO THE REMOTE STRIP AROUND 5:47P AND DISCOVERED THE WRECKAGE.

## 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 ANC19FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19FA026), Jun 21, 2019: Helio H 250 (N6314V), Seward, AK, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during takeoff, which resulted in an in-flight collision, a loss of control, and impact with terrain.

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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