# NTSB GAA16CA366: Helio H 295, N9185Z, Grants Pass, OR, July 10, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 10, 2016, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Grants Pass, OR
- Coordinates: 42.509998, -123.388053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5100&lon=-123.3881&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93580
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA366
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93580/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93580
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA366

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and a ground loop.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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-295, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Helio H-295, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Helio H-295, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, he encountered a crosswind gust from the right. Subsequently, the airplane swerved off the runway to the right and ground looped. During the ground loop, the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported on the National Transportation Safety Board Accident/ Incident Report Form 6120.1, the wind direction was variable at 8 to 9 knots, with gusts at 2 to 5 knots. The destination airport was not equipped with an automated weather observation system.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, he encountered a crosswind gust from the right. Subsequently, the airplane swerved off the runway to the right and ground looped. During the ground loop, the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported on the National Transportation Safety Board Accident/ Incident Report Form 6120.1, the wind direction was variable at 8 to 9 knots, with gusts at 2 to 5 knots. The destination airport was not equipped with an automated weather observation system.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9185Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9185Z), registered now, S/N 1228, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H 295 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Helio H-295](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-295) (registry code 4300802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1228
- Year built: 1966
- Airframe hours: 13352.7
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-G1D6 295 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 2015
- Departed: 3S8, Grants Pass, OR
- Destination: 3S8, Grants Pass, OR
- Airport: 3S8, Grants Pass, runway 13, 4,001 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 8, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 6,244 total, 3,994 in this make and model, 5,899.6 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot-rated passenger; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left; restraint: 4-point

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observed at: KSXT, 5 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 20160710010969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160710010969A), Jul 10, 2016: Helio H-295, Grants Pass, OR, Substantial damage. During a landing roll out on rwy 13, while performing takeoff/landing practice at Grants Pass Airport (3S8), OR, the pilot said that the airplane experienced a…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 18, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93580. 2.2 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=40443311&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 358 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443312&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.

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