# NTSB ANC09LA047: Helio H-295, N295SC, Kaktovic, AK, May 16, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 16, 2009, 12:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Kaktovic, AK - Coordinates: 70.120628, -143.659515 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=70.1206&lon=-143.6595&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 11, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (Airworthiness) - NTSB case key (mKey): 73872 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09LA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73872/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73872 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09LA047 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after an in-flight encounter with a downdraft while landing in mountainous terrain, and her decision to fly at an altitude where such an encounter made a successful recovery unlikely. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation ## Analysis The airline transport pilot was on a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 passenger flight, and was landing on a snow-covered glacier surrounded by mountains. During the approach to the glacier, the pilot said she encountered a strong downdraft as the airplane passed a ridge line. The airplane descended below her anticipated approach path, and she initiated a go-around, but the airplane continued to descend, and landed hard, about 200 feet short of the intended touchdown point. During touchdown, the airplane’s right main landing gear axle broke, which pivoted the airplane to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left side of the fuselage. In the pilot’s written statement to the NTSB, she reported that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. She indicated that the surface wind on the glacier itself was light and variable, in contrast to the downdraft she encountered. She said that during subsequent approaches to the same site, she has altered her landing approaches to minimize the exposure to downdrafts, and increased the approach altitude, which would allow for a go-around if required. ## Factual narrative On May 16, 2009, about 1250 Alaska daylight time, a wheel ski-equipped Helio H-295 airplane, N295SC, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on snow-covered glacial terrain, about 56 miles south of Kaktovic, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by Alaska Flyers, Fairbanks, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand charter flight, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135. The airline transport pilot and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight departed the Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks, about 0830. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on May 18, the pilot reported that she was landing at the 6,200 foot level of the McCall Glacier, which was surrounded by mountainous terrain. She said that during the approach she encountered a downdraft as the airplane passed by a ridge line, and the airplane began to descend below her anticipated approach path. She added full engine power to initiate a go-around, but the airplane continued to descend, and it landed hard about 200 feet short of her intended touchdown point. During touchdown, the airplane’s right main landing gear axle broke, which pivoted the airplane to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left side of the fuselage. The pilot characterized wind conditions on the surface of the glacier as light and variable, but reported encountering stronger winds during the approach. In the pilot’s written statement to the NTSB, she indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. She also noted that following this accident, during subsequent approaches to the same site, she altered her landing approach to minimize the exposure to downdrafts in the area, and increased the approach altitude, which would allow for a go-around if required. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N295SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N295SC-2017-10-06), registration cancelled 2017-10-06, S/N 1461, built 1973 (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-G1D6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-g1d6) (registry code 42182, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1461 - Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-G1D6 280 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Alaska Flyers - Registered owner: Jago River Holdings, LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 29, 2008, 35 hours before - Departed: FAI, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: Kaktovic, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 4,300 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20090516857239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090516857239A), May 16, 2009: Helio H-295, Kaktovik, AK, Substantial damage. Landing at 6500 feet on mccall glacier pilot encountered downdraft on final approach. Aircraft landed short of landing area on rough snowpack. Right ski… ## Other investigations on N295SC (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 ANC12LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12LA056), Jun 20, 2012: Helio H-295-1400 (N295SC), Deadhorse, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to extend the airplane’s wing flaps before takeoff and her selection of an unsuitable takeoff area, which resulted in a collision with a concrete loading ramp during the aborted… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 29, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73872. 855 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 855 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40327624&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.