# NTSB ANC94LA123: Helio H295, N6DB, Artic Village, AK, August 20, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 19, 1994, 20:00 local (Aug 20, 1994, 04:00 UTC) - Place: Artic Village, AK - Coordinates: 68.089317, -145.600509 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=68.0893&lon=-145.6005&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2555 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2555/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA123 ## Probable cause THE PILOT SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION (HOLE). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Tail gear collapsed, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve ## Analysis THE PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS COMPLETING A CROSS-COUNTRY CFR PART 135 FLIGHT TO DELIVER FUEL AND SUPPLIES TO HUNTERS IN A REMOTE AREA. THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON A 700 FOOT LONG TUNDRA BENCH IN A TUNDRA TIRE EQUIPPED SHORT TAKEOFF AND LANDING (STOL) AIRPLANE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL STRUCK A MARMOT HOLE THAT WAS NOT VISIBLE FROM THE AIR. THE LEFT TIRE DEFLATED AND THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED. THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING AND TAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLY. ## Factual narrative On August 19, 1994, at 2000 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Helio Courier model H295 airplane, N6DB, owned and operated by the pilot-in-command, dba Pyxis Ltd., collided with a marmot hole during the landing rollout at a remote landing site on the upper Aichilik River, approximately 80 miles northeast of Arctic Village, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that the flight was conducted under CFR Part 135 for the purpose of checking on sheep hunters. The flight last departed Fort Yukon, Alaska, at 1830 and the intended destination was the remote strip. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area and a VFR flight plan was in effect with the Fairbanks Flight Service Station. The pilot indicated that he was landing on a 700 foot long tundra bench with a load of fuel and supplies for the hunters. During the landing roll, the left main wheel struck a hole that was not visible from the air. The collision flattened the left tire and the airplane ground looped. The airplane received damage to the left wing and tail wheel assembly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6DB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6DB), registered now, S/N 1466, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Helio H295 - 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: 1466 - Airframe hours: 1380 - Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-G1A6 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pyxis Ltd. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 8, 1994, 20 hours before - Departed: FYU, FORT YUKON, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,960 total, 220 in this make and model, 2,771 as pilot in command, 216 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 45° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 50 °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 19940819022639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940819022639A), Aug 19, 1994: Helio H295, Artic Vilage, AK, Substantial damage. Collided with marmot hole landing on remote strip. Flattened left main tire. Ground looped. ## Other investigations on N6DB (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 MIA92LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA187), Sep 21, 1992: Helio HE29 (N6DB), Lantana, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE LANDING GEAR TAIL WHEEL LOCK ON LANDING ROLL OUT, RESULTING IN AN ON GROUND LOSS OF CONTROL (GROUND LOOP) AND COLLAPSE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.