# NTSB DEN83LA005: Helio H-395, N3129R, Gillette, WY, October 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1982, 18:44 local (Oct 8, 1982, 00:44 UTC)
- Place: Gillette, WY
- Coordinates: 44.45935, -105.700576 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4594&lon=-105.7006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70830
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70830/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA005

## Analysis

DURING A LANDING ROLL-OUT ON RUNWAY 15, THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED TO THE RIGHT AND THE LEFT GEAR FAILED. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS FOLLOWING A TWIN CESSNA THAT WAS ABOUT 1/4 MILE AHEAD, AND WHEN HE RAISED THE FLAPS FROM FULL DOWN TO 3/4 DOWN, THE PLANE SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT. HE THOUGHT HE HAD ENCOUNTERED "PROP WASH" OR VORTICES FROM THE TWIN CESSNA THAT HAD MADE A TOUCH-AND-GO. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS ADVISED BY THE TOWER CONTROLLER THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM 210 DEG AT 12 KTS AND GUSTING. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE GEAR HAD FAILED FROM OVERLOAD. ACCORDING TO THE 1848 WEATHER REPORT, THE WIND WAS FROM 290 DEG AT 9 GUSTING 22 KTS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3129R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3129R-1988-04-27), registration cancelled 1988-04-27, S/N 510 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H-395
- Registry model: [Helio H-395](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-395) (registry code 4300202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 510
- Airframe hours: 2385
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-G1B6 295 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jonathan H. Reiners
- Registered owner: Jonathan H. Reiners
- Departed: C, CASPER, WY
- Destination: C, GILLETTE, WY
- Airport: GCC, Gillette Campbell County, runway 15, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,500 total, 26 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 129 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19821007054689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821007054689A), Oct 7, 1982: Helio H395, Gillette, WY, Substantial damage. Lost control while landing behind a departing aircraft. The aircraft ground looped and collapsed the left gear.

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.

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