# NTSB ANC85LA119: Helio 250, N5460E, Anchorage, AK, July 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1985, 11:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.110691, -149.899978 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1107&lon=-149.9000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4518
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4518/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA119

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected (contributing factor)
  - raising of flaps - initiated
  - airspeed - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE TOOK OFF DOWNWIND WITH A HEAVILY LOADED ACFT. HE ESTIMATED THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTH AT 4 GUSTING TO 6 KTS. HE STATED THAT AFTER CLIMBING ABOUT 100 FT, THE ACFT BEGAN TO MUSH AS HE BEGAN RETRACTING THE FLAPS. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT COLLIDED WITH TREES ABOUT 1 MI SOUTH OF THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5460E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5460E-2012-09-21), registration cancelled 2012-09-21, S/N 2517, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO 250
- Registry model: [Helio H-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-250) (registry code 4300302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2517
- Airframe hours: 2800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James L. Magowan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1985, 55 hours before
- Destination: STEPHANE LAKE, AK
- Airport: O'Malley, runway 18, 2,000 × 40 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,015 total, 1,811 in this make and model, 1,905 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850706029829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850706029829A), Jul 6, 1985: Helio H250, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Downwind takeoff made. Stalled after flap retraction and crashed in woods. Heavy cargo load.

## Other investigations on N5460E (4)

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 NYC95LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA112), May 18, 1995: Helio H-250 (N5460E), Clarkson, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the engine fuel pump, which resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power over an unsuitable landing area. Factors relating to the accident were: the airplane manufacture did not…
- [NTSB ANC80DAG22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80DAG22), Dec 30, 1979: Helio Acft H-250 (N5460E), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI67F0629](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67F0629), Apr 20, 1967: Helio Acft H-250 (N5460E), Traverse City, MI, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI67F0333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67F0333), Oct 22, 1966: Helio H-250 (N5460E), Lushing, MI, substantial damage

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.

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