# NTSB FTW88LA155: Helio H-250, N444FF, Tyler, TX, August 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1988, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Tyler, TX
- Location: 32.3513° N, 95.3011° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tyler, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3513&lon=-95.3011&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22678
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22678/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA155

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - starvation (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT, THE ENGINE STOPPED DEVELOPING POWER. THE FUEL WAS FEEDING FROM THE MAIN TANKS AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TRANSFER SOME FUEL FROM THE AUXILIARY TANKS TO THE MAINS BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO GET A RESTART. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A TELEPHONE POLE AND THE TERRAIN. INSPECTION REVEALED THE MAIN TANKS WERE EMPTY AND THE AUX TANKS CONTAINED FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N444FF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N444FF-1992-03-23), registration cancelled 1992-03-23, S/N 2508 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Helio H-250
- Registry model: [Helio H-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-250) (registry code 4300302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2508
- Airframe hours: 3750
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Burney, James H.
- Registered owner: Burney, James H
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TYR, TYLER, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 14 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 235° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F

## 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 19880826035459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880826035459A), Aug 26, 1988: Helio H250, Tyler, TX, Destroyed. Ran mains dry. Unable restart on auxiliary tanks. Over shot open field, hit power pole and a ditch on forced landing

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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