# NTSB LAX83FA100: Helio H-395, N4160D, Tucson, AZ, February 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1983, 17:02 local (Feb 13, 1983, 00:02 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.150932, -110.929916 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1509&lon=-110.9299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23427
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23427/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA100

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED DURING LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH AN ACFT ARRESTING SYSTEM COMPONENT. THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON RWY11L. HE DID NOT REPORT ANY DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE ACFT UNTIL HE BEGAN HIS FLARE. AT THAT TIME HE STATED THAT A SLIGHT AIR DISTURBANCE WAS ENCOUNTERED AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER HE LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT. HE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT OF THERWY AND GROUND LOOPED. DURING THE GROUND LOOP THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TAPE STORAGE REEL OF THE ACFT ARRESTING SYSTEM.THIS COMPONENT WAS ABOUT 25 FT FROM THE RWY EDGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4160D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4160D), registered now, S/N 512 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H-395
- 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: 512
- Airframe hours: 3482
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480 295 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ray T. Matheny
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 1983, 14 hours before
- Departed: EMT, EL MONTE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: TUC, Tucson International, runway 11L, 1,202 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,620 total, 254 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS

## 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 19830212005739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830212005739A), Feb 12, 1983: Helio H395, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Ground looped on landing. Ran off the runway into military arresting gear friction unit.

## Other investigations on N4160D (1)

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 IAD76FIG05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD76FIG05), Oct 12, 1975: Helio Acft H395 (N4160D), Martinsburg, WV, 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.

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