# NTSB DEN02LA048: Helio H-391B, N25BA, Cheyenne, WY, May 24, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 2002, 12:03 local (18:03 UTC) - Place: Cheyenne, WY - Coordinates: 41.150833, -104.80194 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1508&lon=-104.8019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 6, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54884 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN02LA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54884/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54884 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02LA048 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. ## 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 - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis The pilot said there was "a slight crosswind from the left at 10 knots" as he rolled out onto the right side of runway 26 (9,200 feet x 150 feet, concrete, grooved). As the tail wheel lifted off and the front gear started getting "light," a gust of wind started turning the airplane into the wind. Just prior to liftoff, the right gear collapsed and the airplane veered off the runway, buckling the right forward fuselage and firewall. Wind at the time of the accident was from 190 degrees at 13 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 2002, at 1203 mountain daylight time, a Helio H-391B, N25BA, was substantially damaged when the airplane ground looped during takeoff at Cheyenne Airport, Cheyenne, Wyoming. The private pilot was not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, a VFR flight plan had been filed but had not activated, and a special VFR departure clearance had been obtained. The personal flight was being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, and was en route to Logan, Utah. According to the pilot's accident report, there was "a slight crosswind from the left at 10 knots" as he rolled out onto the right side of runway 26 (9,200 feet x 150 feet, concrete, grooved). As the tail wheel lifted off and the front gear started getting "light," a gust of wind started turning the airplane into the wind. Just prior to liftoff, the right gear collapsed and the airplane veered off the runway between taxiways B4 and B5. The following recorded weather conditions existed at the time of the accident: wind, 190 degrees at 13 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; ceiling, 800 feet broken, 13,000 feet overcast; temperature 3 degrees C. (37.4 degrees F.); dew point, 0 degrees C. (32 degrees F.); altimeter setting, 30.10. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed right wing damage from the root to the tip. The fixed right landing gear had collapsed, buckling the right forward fuselage and firewall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25BA-2008-07-16), registration cancelled 2008-07-16, S/N 011, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Helio H-391B - Registry model: [Helio H-391B](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-391b) (registry code 4300106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-435C&D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-435c-d-series) (registry code 41521, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 011 - Engines: Lycoming G0-435C2B2-6 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clifford Hickson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CYS, Cheyenne, WY - Destination: LGU, Logan, UT - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: CYS, Cheyenne, runway 26, 9,200 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total, 143 in this make and model, 172 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: CYS ## 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 20020524011099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020524011099A), May 24, 2002: Helio H391B, Cheyenne, WY, No damage. (-23) The pilot lost control of the aircraft on the runway just prior to take off. Gusting crosswinds prevailed at the time. ## Other investigations on N25BA (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 ANC01LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA066), Jun 2, 2001: Helio H-391B (N25BA), Anvik, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's continued operation of the accident airplane with known equipment deficiencies, and an improper installation of the float assembly by maintenance personnel. A factor in the accident was… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 29, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54884. 342 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 278 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438880&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Maps or Charts of Accident Area, Wreckage Diagrams (item 2, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40169052&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20or%20Charts%20of%20Accident%20Area,%20Wreckage%20Diagrams-Master.PDF 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.