# NTSB ANC97LA128: Helio H-295, N6465V, Fort Yukon, AK, August 23, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 23, 1997, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Fort Yukon, AK - Coordinates: 66.560111, -145.250854 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=66.5601&lon=-145.2509&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 13, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3049 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3049/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA128 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a swerve and collision with a tree as the pilot continued the takeoff, subsequently jamming the stabilator and causing the plane to crash in water. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) - flight control,stabilator - jammed - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis An on-demand passenger flight was departing a 1,000 foot long gravel bar in a southbound direction from a remote area of a river. The area had been used by the operator in the past. The pilot was picking up two passengers from a river float trip. During the takeoff run, the airplane had just attained flying speed, and suddenly veered to the right. The airplane lifted off, and attained a nose high pitch attitude. The tail struck a tree along the edge of the gravel bar, jamming the stabilator. The pilot pushed forward on the flight controls, but was unable to lower the nose of the airplane. The airplane climbed to about 100 feet above the ground, then stalled and descended toward the river. Subsequently, it collided with the river and came to rest in about 3 feet of water. The airplane received damage to the right main landing gear, elevator, fuselage, and engine. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 1997, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Helio H-295 airplane, N6465V, crashed during takeoff from a remote area of river, about 78 miles north of Fort Yukon, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand passenger flight, under Title 14 CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Wright Air Service Inc., Fairbanks, Alaska, sustained substantial damage. The certificated airline transport pilot, and 2 passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Arctic Village Airport, Arctic Village, Alaska, about 1300. The operator reported the pilot was departing a 1,000 foot long gravel bar in a southbound direction. The area, located along the Sheenjek River, had been used by the operator in the past, and the pilot was picking up two passengers from a river float trip. During the takeoff run, the airplane had just attained flying speed. Suddenly, the airplane veered to the right, and the tail struck a tree along the edge of the gravel bar, jamming the stabilator. The airplane lifted off the ground, and attained a nose high pitch attitude. The pilot pushed forward on the flight controls, but was unable to lower the nose of the airplane. The airplane climbed to about 100 feet above the ground, and then descended toward the river. The airplane collided with the river, and came to rest in about 3 feet of water. The airplane received damage to the right main landing gear, stabilator, fuselage, and engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6465V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6465V), registered now, S/N 1417, built 1969 (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: 1417 - Airframe hours: 7519 - Engines: Lycoming GO-480-G1D6 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Wright Air Service - Registered owner: Al Wright - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 22, 1997, 5 hours before - Departed: ARC, ARCTIC VILLAGE, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 237 in this make and model, 11,700 as pilot in command, 365 in the last 90 days, 130 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 4 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °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 19970823023339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970823023339A), Aug 23, 1997: Helio H295, Fort Yukon, AK, Substantial damage. Swerved departing gravel bar. Elevators jammed by tree strike. Climbed nose high. Stalled into shallow water. ## Other investigations on N6465V (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 ANC15LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15LA004), Nov 15, 2014: Helio H 295 (N6465V), Nenana, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies. - [NTSB ANC05LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05LA045), Feb 28, 2005: Helio H-295 (N6465V), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delay in performing a go-around, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. 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.