# NTSB ANC90LA138: Helio HE-3/H-295, N6481V, Arctic Village, AK, August 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1990, 17:05 local (Aug 9, 1990, 01:05 UTC)
- Place: Arctic Village, AK
- Coordinates: 68.089645, -145.5997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=68.0896&lon=-145.5997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5423
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5423/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA138

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMANDS IMPROPER FLARE DURING A FORCED LANDING RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD REDUCED POWER TO MAKE A LOW PASS OVER A POTENTIAL FUTURE LANDING AREA. WHEN POWER WAS REAPPLIED, THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. A HARD LANDING ON THE GRAVEL BAR RESULTED. AFTER RECOVERY, THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN WITH NO OBVIOUS PROBLEMS. NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6481V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6481V-2017-03-27), registration cancelled 2017-03-27, S/N 1435, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO HE-3/H-295
- Registry model: [Helio H-295](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-295) (registry code 4300802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1435
- Airframe hours: 13125
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-G106 295 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Wright Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Wright Air Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 10, 1990, 95 hours before
- Departed: NONE, SHEENJEK RIVER, AK
- Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 7,790 as pilot in command, 267 in the last 90 days, 99 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19900808031819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900808031819A), Aug 8, 1990: Helio H295, Arctic Village, AK, Substantial damage. Made low pass over potential landing area on gravel bar. On go-around engine failed to respond. No defects found.

## Other investigations on N6481V (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 ANC83LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA136), Jul 23, 1983: Helio H-295 (N6481V), 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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