# NTSB ANC90LA178: Helio H-391B, N316HW, Circle, AK, September 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 13, 1990, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Circle, AK
- Coordinates: 65.790115, -144.199066 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.7901&lon=-144.1991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (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): 5457
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5457/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA178

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRPLANE CONTROL AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO IDENTIFY THE STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ON A GRAVEL BAR APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 4 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND THEN CRASHED INTO THE ALDERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N316HW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N316HW-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 066, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H-391B
- Registry model: [Helio H-391B](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-391b) (registry code 4300106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-435C&D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-435c-d-series) (registry code 41521, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 066
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-480 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mastolier, Gary
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,374 total, 1,077 in this make and model, 1,256 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °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 19900913039569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900913039569A), Sep 13, 1990: Helio H391B, Circle, AK, Substantial damage. Failed to accelerate after liftoff from gravel bar. Settled in alders at end of bar.

## Other investigations on N316HW (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 SEA82FYE30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82FYE30), May 29, 1981: Helio H-391B (N316HW), Bellingham, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW73FQD12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73FQD12), Dec 30, 1972: Helio Acft H-391B (N316HW), El Paso, TX, 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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