# NTSB ANC09CA091: Helio H-295, N6468V, Koliganek, AK, September 2, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 2, 2009, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Koliganek, AK - Coordinates: 59.796943, -157.171112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.7969&lon=-157.1711&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 74650 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74650/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74650 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA091 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power during cruise flight due to water in the fuel, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, passenger flight in conjunction with his fish guiding business when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that he was flying about 700 feet above ground level in his float-equipped, single-engine airplane, when he began transferring fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank to the main fuel tank, and the engine lost power. After a failed attempt to restart the engine, he said he was forced to land the airplane on the tundra. The pilot said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. He further reported that it had been raining for several days, and he should have sumped the fuel tanks prior to takeoff. He also stated that he should have initiated the fuel transfer at a higher altitude over terrain that was suitable for landing. He said the float attachments and the fuselage were damaged during the accident. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot was on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, passenger flight in conjunction with his fish guiding business when the accident occurred. The pilot reported he was flying about 700 feet above ground level in his float-equipped, single-engine airplane, when he began transferring fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank to the main fuel tank, and the engine quit. After a failed attempt to restart the engine, he said he was forced to land the airplane on the tundra. The pilot said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. He further reported that it had been raining for several days, and he should have sumped the fuel tanks prior to takeoff. He also stated that he should have initiated the fuel transfer at a higher altitude over terrain that was suitable for landing. He said the float attachments and the fuselage were damaged during the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6468V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6468V), registered now, S/N 1424, built 1970 (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: 1424 - Airframe hours: 7041 - Engines: LYCOMING GO-480 SERIES 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Kirk Gay, doing business as Valhalla Lodge - Registered owner: Alaska Safari Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 2009, 31 hours before - Departed: NDN, Nondalton, AK - Destination: Nushagak, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 12, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 16,318 total, 1,661 in this make and model, 16,243 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °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 20090902049569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090902049569A), Sep 2, 2009: Helio H-295, Koliganek, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot was fishing with two clients on the nushagak river near the village of Koliganek. After departing the river the pilot was forced to land in the… ## Other investigations on N6468V (2) 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 MIA78FKT30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FKT30), Feb 1, 1978: Helio Acft H-295 (N6468V), Miami, FL, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA71FKT03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71FKT03), Aug 13, 1970: Helio Acft H-295 (N6468V), Opa Locka, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74650. 889 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 889 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320491&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.