# NTSB ANC89LA171: Helio H-250, N5450E, Near Iliamna, AK, September 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1989, 20:50 local (Sep 21, 1989, 04:50 UTC)
- Place: Near Iliamna, AK
- Coordinates: 59.849758, -154.559692 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8498&lon=-154.5597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5266
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5266/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA171

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT AND HIS CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC).  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  DARKNESS AND ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PLT DID NOT RECEIVE A WX BRIEFING FOR THE RETURN FLT, BECAUSE HE HAD JUST FLOWN OVER THE AREA. DURING THE RETURN FLT, HE ENCOUNTERED OBSCURED CEILINGS, REDUCED VISIBILITIES, HEAVY RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, & SEVERE TURBULENCE. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED IN A SWAMP & CREEK AT NIGHT. HE STATED HE HAD SLOWED THE ACFT TO 25 TO 30 KTS, WHEN THE ACFT MADE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE SLID APRX 40 FT TO A STOP. THE FLT VISIBILITY WAS RPRTD TO BE ZERO, WHEN THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5450E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5450E), registered now, S/N 2507 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H-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: 2507
- Airframe hours: 1556
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-250 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack Sutherland
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1989, 79 hours before
- Departed: TAYLOR MTN, AK
- Destination: ILI, ILIAMNA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 262 total, 220 in this make and model, 207 as pilot in command, 83 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 35 knots
- Temperature: 36 °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 19890920035729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890920035729A), Sep 20, 1989: Helio H250, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. Flew into area of strong surface wind,zero visibility and freezing rain,stalled into the ground. No weather brief.

## Other investigations on N5450E (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 ANC85LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA019), Nov 1, 1984: Helio H-250 (N5450E), Anchorage, 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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