# NTSB ANC91LA093: Helio H-295, N456JH, Port Alsworth, AK, July 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1991, 10:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Port Alsworth, AK
- Coordinates: 60.200386, -154.279922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.2004&lon=-154.2799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5575
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5575/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA093

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE FROM MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE RISING TERRAIN AND A DOWNDRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE FLYING AT ABOUT 500 FEET ABOVE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN & APPROACHING A SADDLE, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT.  DESPITE THE ADDITION OF FULL POWER, THE AIRPLANE CONTINED TO DESCEND UNTIL IT CONTACTED THE GROUND & NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N456JH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N456JH-2010-03-17), registration cancelled 2010-03-17, S/N 1231, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO 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: 1231
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480 295 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: James K. Harrower
- Registered owner: James K Harrower
- Departed: NONE, STONY RIVER, AK
- Destination: NONE, MULCHATNA RIVER, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,042 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 10,042 as pilot in command, 166 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19910709027559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910709027559A), Jul 9, 1991: Helio H295, Port Alsworth, AK, Substantial damage. Encountered severe downdraft flying through mountain saddle. Unable recover. Floats hit rocks. Seaplane nosed over

## Other investigations on N456JH (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 ANC88LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA122), Sep 4, 1988: Helio H-295 (N456JH), 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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