# NTSB LAX85LA127: Helio H-295, N269E, Lower Lake, CA, January 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1985, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Lower Lake, CA
- Coordinates: 38.879772, -122.549499 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8798&lon=-122.5495&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): 24645
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24645/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA127

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

PLT ATTEMPTED TO ABORT A TAKEOFF AS THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE AT APRX 40 MPH. THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED WHEN THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN WHILE IT WAS YAWED TO THE LEFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N269E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N269E-2018-06-08), registration cancelled 2018-06-08, S/N 1292, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H-295
- 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: 1292
- Airframe hours: 3434
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-G1D6 295 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arlin Dean Merrick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1985, 5 hours before
- Departed: 209
- Airport: 209, Pearce Field, runway 30, 2,485 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 463 total, 12 in this make and model, 373 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: UKI, 29 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 19850130001389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850130001389A), Jan 30, 1985: Helio H295, Lower Lake, CA, Substantial damage. Aborted takeoff after liftoff at 40 mph over controlled roll. Did not control yaw, landed sideways, collapsed gear.

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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