# NTSB ANC88LA077: Helio H-295, N6493V, Clear, AK, June 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1988, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Clear, AK
- Coordinates: 64.300758, -149.149871 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.3008&lon=-149.1499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5020
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5020/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA077

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIALLY CERTIFICATED 8,000 HOUR PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND HIS HELIO COURIER AIRPLANE AT A REMOTE, PRIVATE AIRSTRIP IN ALASKA TO PICK UP A NON-REVENUE PASSENGER. HE REPORTED THAT HE LANDED HARD, AND THAT THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. HE SAID THAT HIS TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE AIRCRAFT WAS ONLY 55 HOURS, AND FEELS THAT HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN TYPE WAS CONTRIBUTORY TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6493V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6493V-1991-08-15), registration cancelled 1991-08-15, S/N 1458 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Helio H-295
- Registry model: [Helio H-295](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-295) (registry code 4300802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 3920
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480 295 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rochester Lodge
- Registered owner: Vixie Rochester/James Metheny
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1988, 59 hours before
- Departed: ROCHESTER LODGE, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: Totatlanika

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 55 in this make and model, 7,800 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19880629027309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880629027309A), Jun 29, 1988: Helio H295, Totatlanika, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot made a hard landing on a grass strip. Left main gear collapsed damaging left wing and fuselage.

## Other investigations on N6493V (2)

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 ANC90FA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA134), Aug 4, 1990: Helio Courier H-295 (N6493V), 40 Se Bettles, AK, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: THE FAILURE AND SEPARATION OF THE #5 CONNECTING ROD BOLT AND CAP WHICH RESULTED IN THE RUPTURE OF THE ENGINE HOUSING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE FIRE DUE TO OIL SPILLAGE, AND AN INADEQUATELY MOUNTED…
- [NTSB ANC76FAA31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76FAA31), Apr 9, 1976: Helio Acft H-295 (N6493V), Fairbanks, AK, 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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