# NTSB ANC97LA094: Helio H295, N6343V, Ekwok, AK, June 29, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 28, 1997, 17:00 local (Jun 29, 1997, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Ekwok, AK - Coordinates: 59.349967, -157.480026 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.3500&lon=-157.4800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3022 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3022/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA094 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - tree(s) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported he was attempting to take off downriver in his float-equipped airplane. The airplane became airborne, but the pilot said it would not accelerate. He looked inside the cockpit at the engine and rpm gauges, and all were normal. When he looked outside, the airspeed had decayed, and the airplane settled onto the river. The pilot turned the airplane to miss a gravel bar, but struck a tree with the right wing. The airplane turned to the right and collided with the river bank. Postaccident inspection of the airplane's engine disclosed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomaly. ## Factual narrative On June 28, 1997, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Helio H295 airplane, N6343V, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote, off airport site on the Nushagak River, located about six miles southwest of Ekwok, Alaska. The private pilot and three passengers aboard were not injured. The Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight was departing for Lake Iliamna, Iliamna, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on June 28, the pilot related he was attempting to takeoff down river. He estimated the temperature as approximately 70 degrees F, and the wind to be from the south at 10 knots. Shortly after becoming airborne, he said he believes the engine lost partial power, and the airplane settled onto the river. Shortly after touchdown, the right, and then the left wing, collided with trees and brush along the shoreline. The pilot and passengers were able to exit the airplane unaided. In the pilot's report submitted to the NTSB, he notes the wind as from the north at 5 knots, and the temperature as approximately 80 degrees F. He wrote, in part, "The aircraft was a little slow to come off the step and took about 400 yards to take off. I lifted the right float, and then the left float at 60 mph indicated. The aircraft rose to about 3 feet and accelerated to just over 60 mph, but would not accelerate further. I pulled my eyes inside and checked manifold pressure, rpm, mag setting, flaps; all were okay. As my eyes came back outside only 3 to 5 seconds the airplane mushed back toward the water. Airspeed had deteriorated to about 55 mph and the airplane touched back down on the water. Immediately in front of the airplane was one lobe of the gravel bar. With the prospect of hitting the gravel bar at 50 mph and the engine still running smoothly but at inadequate power for flight I choose to step turn around the right side of the gravel bar into a deep channel on the back side. As I cleared the gravel bar I noticed the roots of a stump sticking up through the water. I had to jog to the right to miss it, pushing me too close to the right river bank. I noticed a...tree overhanging the water...the right wing hit the tree about 12 inches from the tip...and spun it nose first into the steep bank." Another conversation with the pilot after the airplane was recovered, and prior to inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector, disclosed the pilot believed that the partial loss of engine power could have been caused by a leak in the diaphragm of the pressure type carburetor. The airplane's engine was inspected by an FAA airworthiness inspector from the Anchorage Flight Standards District Office. The inspector discovered no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomaly. The pressure carburetor was removed, and taken to a repair facility for inspection and flow testing. No mechanical deficiencies were noted, and the carburetor performed within acceptable factory specified tolerances. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6343V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6343V-2010-12-14), registration cancelled 2010-12-14, S/N 1284, built 1968 (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: 1284 - Engines: Lycoming GO-480 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Roger C. Davis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1996 - Destination: ILIAMNA, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 985 total, 627 in this make and model, 923 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19970629016269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970629016269A), Jun 29, 1997: Helio H295, Ekwok, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed on takeoff. (.4)the pilot reported he was attempting to take off downriver in his float-equipped airplane. The airplane became airborne, but… 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.