# NTSB ANC99LA095: Helio H-395, N4198D, Igiugig, AK, July 20, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 20, 1999, 15:05 local (23:05 UTC) - Place: Igiugig, AK - Coordinates: 58.749374, -156.539962 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.7494&lon=-156.5400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 46868 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46868/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA095 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the downwind to upwind taxi turn. Factors associated with this accident were the high crosswind, the pilot's improper use of flaps, and his self-induced pressure because he was behind schedule. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - flaps - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The pilot attempted to takeoff from a lake, with a 25 knot left crosswind. The first attempt was made close to shore, in the shelter of a bank on the lake's edge. The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) that the airplane's nose would not turn right, so he aborted the takeoff. He water taxied the airplane with the flaps set to the 1/2 position, farther downwind into the lake. He began to turn left, into the wind, and the wind lifted the left wing. The pilot said he added power, the right float dug into the water, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot indicated he was late, in a hurry, and should not have taxied in high winds with the flaps extended. ## Factual narrative On July 20, 1999, about 1505 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Helio H-395 airplane, N4198D, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from Kukaklek Lake, about 18 miles southeast of Igiugig, Alaska, at 59 degrees 07 minutes north latitude, 155 degrees 32 minutes west longitude. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by Branham Adventures Limited Partnership of Anchorage, Alaska, in support of a fishing lodge. The flight was departing on a return leg to the Kulik Lake Lodge, Alaska, after dropping off three passengers. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a company VFR flight plan was filed. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 21, the company owner stated that the pilot attempted a takeoff with a left crosswind of about 20 knots. The pilot aborted the first takeoff, then performed a downwind water taxi prior to attempting a second takeoff. The owner stated that the pilot left the flaps extended halfway, and commenced a second takeoff. The wind lifted the left wing, and the left float came off the water. The owner indicated the pilot applied power to continue the takeoff, the right float dug into the water, and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage. During a personal interview with the IIC on July 22, the pilot said that the wind was about 25 knots near the shore, and stronger toward the center of the lake. He attempted a takeoff with a left crosswind, close to the edge of the lake where there was shelter from the southwest wind. He aborted the first takeoff when he could not get the nose of the airplane to turn to the right, toward the river opening out of the lake. He then water taxied downwind farther into the lake, intending to takeoff into the wind with a longer takeoff run. During the taxi, the pilot did not retract the flaps from the 1/2 position. As he began to turn left, into the wind, the wind lifted the left wing. The pilot said that he had full aileron deflected into the wind, and added power in an attempt to bring the airplane's nose into the wind. He stated the right float dug in, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot also added that he was late for his next pickup, in a hurry, and should not have water taxied in high winds with the flaps extended. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4198D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4198D-2019-01-16), registration cancelled 2019-01-16, S/N 592, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Helio H-395 - Registry model: [Helio H-395](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-395) (registry code 4300202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 592 - Engines: Lycoming GO-480-G1D6 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: C.D.M., Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 1999 - Departed: KUKAKLEK LAKE, AK - Destination: LKK, KULIK LK LODGE, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 121 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 25 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - 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 19990720009879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990720009879A), Jul 20, 1999: Helio H395, Igiugig, AK, Substantial damage. Acft flipped over on lake. 21 miles e of Igiugig, AK. (.19)on July 20, 1999, about 1530 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped, Helio H-395 airplane, N4198D,… ## Other investigations on N4198D (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 DEN73DTC26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73DTC26), May 25, 1973: Helio H-395 (N4198D), Jackson, WY, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN72FTC09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN72FTC09), Oct 6, 1971: Helio H-395 (N4198D), Jackson, WY, 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.