# NTSB ANC90LA177: Helio H-295, N204CW, Mcgrath, AK, September 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1990, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Coordinates: 63.610759, -154.78067 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6108&lon=-154.7807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5456
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5456/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA177

## Probable cause

FUEL CONTAMINATION. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - water (cause)
  - fuel system,line - water (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE QUIT. AFTER AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON THE TUNDRA, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ON TO ITS BACK. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. HOWEVER, WATER WAS FOUND IN BOTH FUEL TANKS AND FUEL LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N204CW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H-295
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1213
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480 295 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kelly L. Vrem
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1990, 72 hours before
- Departed: TKA, TALKEETNA, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,500 total, 246 in this make and model, 9,200 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 41 °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 19900916039689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900916039689A), Sep 16, 1990: Helio H295, Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Crash landed on tundra and nosed over. Water found in fuel system.

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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