# NTSB ANC14CA082: Helio H 295, N50718, Prospect Creek, AK, September 16, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 15, 2014, 18:15 local (Sep 16, 2014, 02:15 UTC) - Place: Prospect Creek, AK - Coordinates: 66.813331, -150.643051 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=66.8133&lon=-150.6431&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 90082 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14CA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90082/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90082 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA082 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff, in gusty and variable wind conditions, resulting in a collision with terrain. ## 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); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Helio H-295, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled 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 pilot reported he was departing from the ramp area at the airport due to wind direction. Shortly after becoming airborne in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, a gust of wind pushed the right wing down and the aircraft momentarily flew inverted, turned 90-degrees, and then impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported he was departing from the ramp area at the airport due to wind direction. Shortly after becoming airborne in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, a gust of wind pushed the right wing down and the aircraft momentarily flew inverted, turned 90-degrees, and then impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50718](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50718-2018-12-04), registration cancelled 2018-12-04, S/N 1268, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HELIO H 295 (NO SERIES) - 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: 1268 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 4600 - Engines: LYCOMING GO-480 SERIES 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jespersen Aircraft Services Inc - Registered owner: Jespersen Aircraft Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 18, 2014 - Departed: PPC, Prospect Creek, AK - Destination: BTT, BETTLES, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: PPC, Prospect Creek, runway 01, 4,968 × 150 ft, gravel - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 25, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 14,800 total, 2,450 in this make and model, 170 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,700 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.52 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: PABT, 23 nm away ## 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 20140915023199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140915023199A), Sep 15, 2014: Helio H-295, Prospect Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Airman took off from the ramp due to cross winds when airborne aircraft rolled to the left was un-recoverable and became inverted and crashed. ## Other investigations on N50718 (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 ANC02LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA089), Aug 2, 2002: Helio H-295 (N50718), Fort Yukon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the axle shaft, which resulted in the separation of the right main tire/wheel from the airplane on landing. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 7, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90082. 667 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 667 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420707&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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.