# NTSB ANC96IA039: Helio H295, N5462E, Angoon, AK, March 29, 1996 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: March 29, 1996, 08:50 local (12:50 UTC) - Place: Angoon, AK - Coordinates: 57.439899, -134.479248 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.4399&lon=-134.4792&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 July 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2772 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96IA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2772/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96IA039 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty wind conditions. A factor associated with the accident was the gusty wind conditions. ## 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 - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot reported he was taking off from water in gusty wind conditions. Shortly after becoming airborne, at an estimated altitude of 15 feet, he said a gust of wing caused him to lose control of the airplane and collide with the water. The airplane's right float was damaged, and begin sinking. The pilot and passenger remained on top of the left float until rescued. The airplane sank soon after they were rescued. ## Factual narrative On March 29, 1996, about 0850 Alaska Standard time, a float equipped Helio Courier airplane, N5462E, sustained minor damage when it collided with the water during takeoff from the sea near the Hidden Falls Fish Hatchery. The Hidden Falls Fish Hatchery is located approximately 20 miles south of Angoon, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot and the sole passenger aboard were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 135 on-demand charter flight was operated by L.A.B. Flying Service, Inc.,in visual meteorological conditions. A company flight plan was in effect. The NTSB investigator-in-charge spoke with the pilot on March 29. The pilot related that he had picked up a passenger at the fish hatchery, and was attempting to takeoff to the north-northeast. The pilot estimated the prevailing wind to be from the north- northwest at 5 to 10 knots, with gusts to 15 to 20 knots. Shortly after liftoff, at an altitude of approximately 15 feet above the water, the pilot said the airplane encountered a windgust and that he was unable to maintain altitude. The airplane subsequently impacted the water on the heel of the floats, rotated forward, and caught the toe of the floats. The pilot said the right float partially separated from the airplane; the left float remained attached. The airplane nosed down, yet remained afloat. The pilot and passenger climbed onto the left float and awaited rescue. Rescuers arrived at the airplane approximately 30 minutes after the mishap. When the pilot and passenger were removed from the float, the airplane rolled over to an inverted position. The airplane was towed to shallower water, and eventually recovered. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5462E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5462E-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 1203, built 1965 (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: 4300802 - Engines: Lycoming GO-480-G1D6 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: L.A.B., Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TKE, TENEKKE, AK - Destination: JNU, JUNEAU, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, airline transport; 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: 3,000 total, 250 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 345° at 8 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °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). - [Incident 19960329005539I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960329005539I), Mar 29, 1996: Helio H295, Hidden Falls, AK, Minor damage. Narrative: on March 29, 1996, about 0850 Alaska standard time, a float equipped Helio courier airplane, N5462E sustained minor damage when it collided with the… ## Other investigations on N5462E (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 LAX71FUQ01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX71FUQ01), Jul 5, 1970: Helio Acft H-295 (N5462E), Tehachapi, CA, 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. --- 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.