# NTSB FTW73FQD12: Helio Acft H-391B, N316HW, El Paso, TX, December 30, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 30, 1972
- Place: El Paso, TX · EL PASO, TX
- Location: 31.7587° N, 106.4869° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of El Paso, TX, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7587&lon=-106.4869&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 168559
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW73FQD12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73FQD12

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2644  72/12/30   EL PASO,TEX         HELIO ACFT H-391B   CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 27, 323
        TIME - 1100                    N316HW              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 40 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - EL PASO INTL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BIG SPRINGS,TEX             EL PASO,TEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: ROLL
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N316HW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N316HW-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 066, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO ACFT 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: El Paso Intl

## Other investigations on N316HW (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 ANC90LA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA178), Sep 13, 1990: Helio H-391B (N316HW), Circle, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRPLANE CONTROL AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO IDENTIFY THE STALL.
- [NTSB SEA82FYE30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82FYE30), May 29, 1981: Helio H-391B (N316HW), Bellingham, WA, 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.
