# NTSB DEN83LA182: Helio Courier H-295, N6484V, Salt Lake City, UT, August 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1983, 19:40 local (Aug 4, 1983, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Salt Lake City, UT
- Coordinates: 40.760803, -111.840682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7608&lon=-111.8407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16131
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16131/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA182

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - discontinued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE STARTING HIS TAKEOFF, THE PLT WAITED FOR OTHER ACFT IN THE PATTERN TO MAKE TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS. IMMEDIATELY BEFORE & DURING HIS ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF, THE PLT SAW 2 NATIONAL GUARD HELICOPTERS HOVERING OVER A SOD AREA, WEST OF RWY 34. REPORTEDLY, THE 1ST PART OF THE TAKEOFF WAS NORMAL. AT APRX 30 TO 40 MPH, THE LEFT WING RAISED & THE ACFT BEGAN TO WEATHERVANE TO THE LEFT. THE PLT SAID THAT HE TURNED THE CONTROL WHEEL TO THE LEFT & APPLIED RIGHT BRAKE BUT THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED & THE RIGHT GEAR COLLAPSED. ACCORDING TO THE HELICOPTER CREWS, THEY WERE WELL AWAY FROM THE RWY. ONE ESTIMATED, THE CLOSEST HELICOPTER WAS ABOUT 365 FT WEST OF THE RWY. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THEWIND VELOCITY HAD INCREASE AT ABOUT THE TIME THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AN FAA AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT A DUST DEVIL HIT THE LEFT WING OF THE ACFT DURING THE TAKEOFF. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT THE ROTOR DOWNWASH FROM THE HELICOPTERS HAD BEEN ENCOUNTERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6484V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6484V-2019-12-04), registration cancelled 2019-12-04, S/N 1439 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO COURIER H-295 (COURIER H-)
- Registry model: [Helio H-295](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-295) (registry code 4300802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1439
- Airframe hours: 1579
- Engines: LYCOMING O-270 295 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Intermountain Constr. Co, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 15, 1982, 49 hours before
- Airport: U42, West Jordan, runway 34, 5,604 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 356 total, 73 in this make and model, 217 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLC, 11 nm away

## 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 19830803064559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830803064559A), Aug 3, 1983: Helio H295, Salt Lake City, UT, Substantial damage. Lost control during a crosswind takeoff. Ground looped collapsing right gear. Crosswind component a factor.

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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