# NTSB GAA18CA481: Helio H 295, N77TR, Great Falls, MT, August 11, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 11, 2018, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Great Falls, MT - Coordinates: 47.485279, -111.36 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4853&lon=-111.3600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98045 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA481 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98045/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98045 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA481 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the airplane during takeoff in a quartering tailwind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/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: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Helio H-295, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Helio H-295, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=4300802), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: 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 the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff, the right wing lifted "unexpectedly." He attempted to recover, but the left main landing gear sideloaded and collapsed. The left wing impacted the runway, and the airplane rotated to the left 180° and came to rest on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 320° at 14 knots. The airplane was departing from runway 21. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during takeoff, the right wing "came up quickly (lifted) and unexpectedly." He attempted to recover, but the left main landing gear sideloaded and collapsed. The left wing impacted the runway and the airplane rotated to the left 180° and came to rest on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 320° at 14 knots. The airplane was departing on runway 21. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N77TR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77TR-2019-01-24), registration cancelled 2019-01-24, S/N 2514, built 1965 (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-G1D6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-g1d6) (registry code 42182, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2514 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 2830 - Engines: Lycoming GO-480-G1D6 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 2018 - Departed: GTF, Great Falls, MT - Destination: 1S9, Chewelah, WA - Airport: GTF, Great Falls Intl, runway 21, 10,502 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 6, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 801 total, 232 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KGTF, 1 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 20180811010959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180811010959A), Aug 11, 2018: Helio H-295, Great Falls, MT, Substantial damage. On August 11, 2018 at approximately 1252 MDT (1852Z) a Helio H-295 sustained substantial damage to the empanage, firewall, left wing flight controls And wing… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98045. 4.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467876&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467877&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.