# NTSB GAA15CA268: Helio H 395, N910SP, Bethel, AK, September 18, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 18, 2015, 15:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: Bethel, AK - Coordinates: 61.490833, -162.410278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4908&lon=-162.4103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 17, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92024 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA268 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92024/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92024 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA268 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate during takeoff initial climb, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees and terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Helio H-395, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=4300202), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Helio H-395, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=4300202), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Helio H-395, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=4300202), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Helio H-395, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=4300202), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Helio H-395, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=4300202), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the float-equipped airplane stated that after takeoff from a lake, about 30-50 feet above the treetops, the airplane encountered a downdraft and descended uncontrolled into trees and terrain. The nearest weather reporting station was 7 NM to the north, and reported that the wind was 350 degrees true at 17 knots, with gusts to 23. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the float-equipped airplane stated that after takeoff from a lake, about 30-50 feet above the treetops, the airplane encountered a downdraft and descended uncontrolled into trees and terrain. The nearest weather reporting station was 7 NM to the north, and reported that the wind was 350 degrees true at 17 knots, with gusts to 23. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N910SP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N910SP), registered now, S/N 627 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HELIO H 395 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Helio H-395](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-395) (registry code 4300202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 627 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 6332.6 - Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-G1D6 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Renfro's Alaskan Adventures, doing business as Renfro's Alaskan Adventures Inc. - Registered owner: Michael W. Renfro - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 2015, 71 hours before - Departed: PABE, Bethel, AK - Destination: PABE, Bethel, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: runway NA, 2,100 × 2,100 ft, water - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 23, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,400 total, 70 in this make and model, 4,300 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 17 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.64 inHg - Observed at: PASM, 7 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 20150918016469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150918016469A), Sep 18, 2015: Helio H-395, Pilot Station, AK, Substantial damage. Shortly after takeoff from lake, aircraft encountered mechanical turbulence over tree line that pushed the aircraft down, right float skipped on tree tops,… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92024. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434859&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record (Weight and Balance) (item 2, .PDF, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434860&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20(Weight%20and%20Balance)-Master.PDF - Photos (item 3, .PDF, 761 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434861&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF 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.