# NTSB ANC12LA056: Helio H-295-1400, N295SC, Deadhorse, AK, June 20, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 2012, 14:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Deadhorse, AK - Coordinates: 69.150276, -148.824447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=69.1503&lon=-148.8244&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84058 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12LA056 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84058/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84058 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12LA056 ## 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 takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: 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 pilot said that due to a strong westerly wind, she elected to takeoff from the east/west taxiway instead of using the north/south runway. Before departure, the pilot paced off her intended takeoff path and determined that she had a 1,200-foot-long, 200-foot-wide gravel surface that was free of obstructions. During the takeoff run, the weight shifted off the main wheels, but the tail of the airplane did not come up, and the airplane did not climb. The pilot aborted the takeoff and applied heavy braking, but the airplane drifted left of her intended path and struck a concrete loading ramp. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Photos provided by first responders revealed that the airplane’s flaps were in the up position upon arrival. The pilot reported that after the accident she did not retract the airplane’s wing flaps. Thus, due to the lack of mechanical anomalies with the airplane, the length of takeoff area, and the postaccident discovery of the flaps in the up position, it is likely that the pilot failed to properly configure the airplane’s wing flaps before takeoff. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 2012, about 1420 Alaska daylight time, a Helio Courier H-295 airplane, N295SC, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a concrete barrier while attempting to takeoff from the Happy Valley Airport, Happy Valley, Alaska. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured, and the two passengers sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to Jago River Holdings LLC., and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91, as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight to Fairbanks, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in charge (IIC) on July 6, the pilot said due to the strong westerly wind, she attempted to takeoff on the east/west taxiway instead of using the north/south runway. Before departure she paced off her intended takeoff path, and determined she had a 1,200 foot long by 200 foot wide gravel surface that was free of obstructions, with another 400 feet of gravel road extending beyond her intended takeoff point. During the takeoff roll the pilot felt weight shift off the main wheels, but the tail did not come up, she was not sure if the airplane became airborne. She aborted the takeoff, and applied the brakes, but the airplane drifted left of her intended takeoff path, towards a concrete loading ramp. Just prior to impact she released the left brake and attempted to ground loop the airplane. The airplane turned right, and struck the concrete loading ramp, just aft of the pilot seat. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and stabilator. The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. Pictures taken at the scene by first responders, immediately following the accident, indicate the flaps were in the up position. The pilot said the aircraft was not reconfigured after the accident. ## 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-295-1400 - 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 - Airframe hours: 3844 - Engines: Lycoming GO-480 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jago River Holdings LLC - Registered owner: Jago River Holdings LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 29, 2012 - Departed: HPV, Deadhorse, AK - Destination: PAFA, Fairbanks, AK - Airport: HPV, Happy Valley, runway 15, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 13, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 5,190 total, 438 in this make and model, 2,547 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - 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 20120620013199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120620013199A), Jun 20, 2012: Helio H-295, Happy Valley, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot failed to correct for crosswind resulting in an impact with a large concrete structure. Substantial damage and 2 serious injuries. ## 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 ANC09LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09LA047), May 16, 2009: Helio H-295 (N295SC), Kaktovic, AK, substantial damage. 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… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 14, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84058. 918 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 918 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375282&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.