# NTSB ANC89LA105: Helio H800, N4104D, King Salmon, AK, June 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1989, 18:00 local (Jun 28, 1989, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: King Salmon, AK
- Coordinates: 56.960987, -158.580337 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.9610&lon=-158.5803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5208
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5208/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA105

## Probable cause

THE PILOT SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE LANDING. SOFT/WET (MUDDY) TERRAIN CONDITIONS WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ELECTED TO LAND ON FLAT TERRAIN THAT APPEARED TO BE SOLID ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE AIRCRAFT. HOWEVER, DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE WHEELS SANK IN MUD AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4104D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H800
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: H-17
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nordgren, Alfred
- Registered owner: Alfred M Nordgren
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: AKN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,270 total, 70 in this make and model, 1,270 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890627017719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890627017719A), Jun 27, 1989: Helio H800, King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage. Wheels hit a soft spot while landing on a sandbar. Aircraft nosed over.

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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