# NTSB ANC25LA095: Helio H-395, N44344, Pilot Point, AK, August 21, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 20, 2025, 17:00 local (Aug 21, 2025, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Pilot Point, AK - Coordinates: 57.753056, -156.16611 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.7531&lon=-156.1661&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200862 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200862/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200862 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA095 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate takeoff performance planning, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Helio H-395, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=4300202), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Helio H-395, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=4300202), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Helio H-395, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=4300202), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Helio H-395, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=4300202), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while attempting to takeoff from a remote airstrip in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, he miscalculated the airplane’s performance abilities, and the airplane overran the available takeoff area. The airplane struck terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44344](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44344), registered now, S/N 597, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HELIO H-395 - Registry model: [Helio H-395](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-395) (registry code 4300202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 597 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 11547 - Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-G1D6 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alaska Outdoor Consultants LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 2025, 15 hours before - Departed: AKN, King Salmon, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: NONE, Unimproved Strip - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 27, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 8,026 total, 58 in this make and model, 7,686 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: APN, 47 nm away - METAR: PAPN 210056Z AUTO 27005KT 9SM CLR 16/13 A3018 RMK AO2 SLP219 T01560133 $ ## 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 20250820013559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250820013559A), Aug 20, 2025: Helio H-395, King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated • It was a warm day with calm winds at the time of the attempted takeoff. • The landing area was unimproved, approximately 600 feet long, and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200862. 11.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 9.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19430587&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA095%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19429919&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA095%20Photos-Rel.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.