# NTSB LAX85LA118: Helio H-250, N55XV, Palm Springs, CA, January 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1985, 14:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Palm Springs, CA
- Location: 33.8297° N, 116.5067° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PALM SPRINGS INTL (PSP), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8297&lon=-116.5067&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24640
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24640/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA118

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear strut - corroded (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other person (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT BOUNCED UPON LANDING IN CALM WIND CONDITIONS AND THE LEFT MAIN GEAR LEG BROKE OFF WHEREUPON THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED TO THE RIGHT. INSPECTION REVEALED RUST ON BOTH SIDES OF THE GEAR STRUT ABOUT 6 INCHES BELOW THE FUSELAGE WHERE A BRACE IS WELDED TO THE STRUT. THE RUST AREA WAS HIDDEN FROM VIEW BY PAINT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55XV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55XV-1989-03-16), registration cancelled 1989-03-16, S/N 2520 (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: 2520
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-GID6 295 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: P.R. Porter & Son
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1984
- Departed: IPL, IMPERIAL, CA
- Destination: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Airport: PSP, Palm Springs, runway 30, 7,013 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 527 total, 527 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSP

## 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 19850121041489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850121041489A), Jan 21, 1985: Helio H250, Palm Springs, CA, Substantial damage. Left landing gear collapsed on touchdown. Gear strut corroded on both sides. Corrosion hidden by paint.

## Other investigations on N55XV (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 LAX85LA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA300), Jun 30, 1985: Helio H-250 (N55XV), Imperial, CA, 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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