# NTSB ANC02LA101: Helio H-295, N920AS, Igiugig, AK, August 15, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 14, 2002, 16:30 local (Aug 15, 2002, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Igiugig, AK - Coordinates: 59.370834, -154.975006 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.3708&lon=-154.9750&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-AL-ANC FSDO 03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 55534 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC02LA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55534/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA101 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the wind/weather conditions resulting in a collision with an embankment during the takeoff run. A factor contributing to the accident was a sudden wind shift to a tailwind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis The airline transport certificated pilot was departing toward the west from a remote lake in a float-equipped airplane. The pilot said the wind conditions at the time of his takeoff were from the west at eight to ten knots. During the takeoff run, the airplane came up on-step, but the pilot said he felt a wind change from a headwind, to a right quartering tailwind of about eight knots. He reported that he had already passed a point where he could safely abort the takeoff, and he saw the airplane approaching the end of the lake. He said he rotated into a climb attitude and the airplane lifted off the water, but the bottom of the float assembly struck the edge of the lake bank. The pilot pulled the engine power to idle, and the airplane slid to a stop on the tundra. ## Factual narrative On August 14, 2002, about 1630 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Helio Courier H-295 airplane, N920AS, sustained substantial damage when it collided with an embankment during the takeoff run from a remote lake, about 29 miles east of Igiugig, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country business flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the Alaska Sportsman Lodge LLC., Igiugig. The airline transport certificated pilot, and the three passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 14, the pilot reported that he was departing toward the west from Crosswind Lake to transport lodge guests back to the lodge. The pilot said the wind conditions at the time of his takeoff were from the west at eight to ten knots. During the takeoff run, the airplane came up on-step, but the pilot said he felt a wind change from a headwind, to a right quartering tailwind of about eight knots. He reported that he had already passed a point where he could safely abort the takeoff, and he saw the airplane approaching the end of the lake. He said he rotated into a climb attitude and the airplane lifted off the water, but the bottom of the float assembly struck the edge of the lake bank. The pilot pulled the engine power to idle, and the airplane slid to a stop on the tundra. Following recovery of the airplane to Igiugig, in a telephone conversation on August 20, with a representative of the lodge, they reported the airplane received damage to the propeller, the left and right float assemblies, and the left wing flap assembly. In addition, the fuselage received structural wrinkling. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N920AS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N920AS), registered now, S/N 1279, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Helio H-295 - Registry model: [Helio H-295](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-295) (registry code 4300802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1279 - Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-480-G1D6 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alaska Sportsman Lodge LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: IGIUGIG, AK - Destination: IGIUGIG, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 3, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 19,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 325° at 8 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020814025709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020814025709A), Aug 14, 2002: Helio H295, Kukakleklake, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Mr. Rinner stated the aircraft operation was good and on take off everything was working, and the weather was not a factor. Mr. Rinner said he misjudged… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.