# NTSB DEN84LA134: Helio H-295, N269L, Dulce, NM, April 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1984, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Dulce, NM
- Coordinates: 36.9304, -106.989494 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9304&lon=-106.9895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16369
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16369/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA134

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - flight control,stabilator surface - overload
- Forced landing, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS CROSSING A MOUNTAIN RIDGE AT 250 FEET WHEN A DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED ON THE DOWNWIND SIDE OF THE RIDGE. THE PLT THEN BANKED AND RETURNED TO THE UPWIND SLOPE BUT STILL WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND STABILIZER DAMAGE RESULTED. THE PLT CONTINUED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE AND LANDED IN A SMALL CLEARING. THE PLT STATED THAT A COMBINATION OF FATIGUE, FINANCIAL PRESSURE AND MISINTERPRETATION OF THE WINDS LEAD TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N269L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H-295
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1286
- Airframe hours: 4425
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-G1D6 295 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Southwest Safaris
- Registered owner: Bruce M. Adams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1983, 98 hours before
- Departed: HM01, DULCE, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 30 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19840423024769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840423024769A), Apr 23, 1984: Helio H295, Dulce, NM, Substantial damage. Encountered a downdraft near a ridgeline, struck trees and managed to land in a small clearing. Misjudged windshear

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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