LAX95FA161

A ground witness located 15 miles from the accident reported hearing an airplane at about the time of the accident. He reported that clouds obscured the Mountain peaks and that he was unable to see the airplane. The ground witness also said that rain, sleet, snow flurries, and high winds existed, and the ground visibility was less than 200 feet. The wreckage examination disclosed the airplane's left wing struck a tree in a near level flight attitude. A weather briefing was not obtained before the accident flight.

History of Flight

On April 12, 1995, about 1220 hours Pacific daylight time, a Helio H-250, N5461E collided with a tree and crashed about 5 miles northwest of Round Mountain, California. The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules personal flight to Palmer, Alaska, with an intended landing at Couer d'Alene, Idaho. The airplane, registered to and operated by a private individual, was destroyed. The certificated private pilot and the certificated private pilot/passenger sustained fatal injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Benton Airpark, Redding, California, about 1200 hours.

The registered owner told National Transportation Safety Board investigators in a telephone interview conducted on April 13, 1995, that the pilot was using his airplane to fly to Alaska. He said that they intended to land at Couer d'Alene, Idaho, to pick up another airplane. The passenger was also going to fly the other airplane to Alaska.

According to a refueller at Hillside Aviation, Benton Airpark, the passenger helped him fuel the airplane about 1130 hours. He said in a personal interview conducted on April 14, 1995, at Hillside Aviation, that all of the fuel tanks were full after it was refueled. Shortly after the pilot paid for the fuel, he departed on the accident flight. The refueller could not state whether the pilot or the pilot/passenger occupied the left front seat.

A ground ear-witness told Safety Board investigators in a personal interview conducted at Round Mountain that an airplane flew over his house at Hatchet Mountain (about 15 miles east of the accident site) in the late morning/early afternoon. The airplane then made a left turn and flew to the west. The engine sounded normal until it dissipated in the distance.

He said that he did not see the airplane because of the prevailing meteorological conditions. The clouds obscured the mountain peaks. He also said that rain, sleet, snow flurries, and high winds existed and the ground visibility was less than 200 feet.

There were no eyewitnesses.

The accident's coordinates are 40 degrees, 54.25 minutes north latitude and 122 degrees, 01.79 minutes west longitude.

Pilot Information

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane, single engine land rating. He also held an unrestricted third class medical certificate issued on May 3, 1994. According to federal air regulations, a third class medical certificate is valid for 24 calendar months.

The flight hours reflected on page 3 of this report were obtained from the pilot's flight logbook. According to the last entry in the logbook as of April 2, 1995, the pilot accrued 327.6 flight hours, of which 46.5 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. The pilot also received 6.3 hours of instrument flight instruction. The last instrument instruction he received was on November 15, 1992.

On August 13, 1994, the pilot received 1.3 hours of dual instruction from a certified flight instructor. The instructor noted in the remarks section that the pilot executed several maneuvers. The instructor noted on the last page of the pilot's logbook that the pilot successfully passed a biennial flight review. The instructor did not show the date that the biennial flight review was conducted. According to the airplane owner's insurer, the pilot showed on the insurance application form that he received a biennial flight review on August 13, 1994.

The passenger held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating. He also held a third-class medical certificate dated September 1, 1994; the certificate contained a limitation endorsement that states:

Holder shall wear lenses that correct for distant and possess glasses that correct for ear vision while exercising the privileges of the airman certificate.

Safety Board investigators did not recover the pilot/passenger's flight hours logbook. The flight hours reflected in Supplement E of this report were the hours he noted in his last medical application form.

Aircraft Information

The registered owner said that he and the pilot were partners in other properties, but not in the airplane; however, Safety Board investigators found a book in the wreckage that suggests the pilot was also a partner in the airplane.

The number two airframe and engine logbooks were found in the airplane wreckage. Examination of the logbooks showed that the last annual inspection was accomplished by an aircraft mechanic with inspection authorization on September 3, 1994. The airframe accrued 2,439 hours and the engine accrued 1,406 hours since major overhaul (SMOH) at the time of the inspection. At the time of the accident, the airframe accrued 2,664.86 hours and the engine accrued 1,474.86 hours SMOH.

The logbooks did not show compliance with any airworthiness directives that were applicable to this aircraft. Several Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aircraft alteration forms (FAA Form 337) and compliance with the carry-thru airworthiness inspection records were found with the logbooks.

Meteorological Information

There are no surface weather observation facilities at the accident site. The closest weather observation facility is at Redding Airport. The weather data reflected on page 4 of this report were obtained from ground personnel residing near the accident site.

The following are the Redding Airport 1150 and 1250 hours, respectively, surface weather observations:

Measured ceiling 2,700 feet broken clouds, 4,300 feet broken clouds, 8,500 feet overcast clouds; visibility - 40 miles; temperature - 63 degrees' F; dew point - 54 degrees' F; surface winds - 220 degrees at 10 knots; altimeter setting - 29.92 inHg.

Measured ceiling 2,500 feet broken clouds, 3,500 feet overcast clouds; visibility - 30 miles; temperature - 63 degrees' F; dew point - 54 degrees' F; surface winds - 220 degrees at 10 knots; altimeter setting - 29.89 inHg.

Weather Study

The Safety Board's Office of Research and Engineering conducted a meteorological study of the accident area at the time of the accident.

The National Weather Service (NWS) 1100 hours surface analysis chart showed a low pressure center near the southern Oregon Coast line. A cold front stretched from the low southwestward offshore along the northern California coast. A stationary front extended from the low eastward through southern Oregon and southern Idaho. The chart indicated generally overcast clouds over northern California, southern Oregon, western Nevada, and southern Idaho.

The available weather radar data did not indicate any radar returns near the accident site.

Visual and infrared imagery was lacking in the area, but available radar and satellite data showed patchy light rain or rain showers were present.

Other satellite data showed that overcast clouds were present. The tops of the clouds were between 26,000 - 28,000 feet msl.

Radiosonde data and upper air analysis charts indicated that the freezing level in the accident area was between 8,500 and 9,000 feet msl.

Communications

At the request of the Safety Board, the FAA, Western-Pacific Air Traffic Division searched their records for any communications between the accident airplane and any FAA air traffic facility. The FAA reported that the pilot did not file a flight plan or obtain a weather briefing from any FAA Flight Service Station before departing on the accident flight.

Investigators found the number two radio selected to 122.0 MHZ, a flight watch station.

Wreckage and Impact Information.

The main wreckage was found about 1,000 feet southwest of a 3,500-foot ridge about 29 miles north of the Redding VOR (very high frequency omni range - a navigat