# NTSB LAX96LA174: Helio H-295, N6470V, Grand Canyon, AZ, April 19, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 19, 1996, 09:17 local (16:17 UTC) - Place: Grand Canyon, AZ - Coordinates: 36.029663, -112.019149 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0297&lon=-112.0191&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29424 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA174 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29424/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA174 ## Probable cause the partial failure of the landing gear brake system resulting from loss of the clips retaining the right-hand brake disk. The resulting loss of braking authority impaired the pilot's ability to maintain directional control in a left quartering tailwind and during the developing ground loop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,normal brake system - failure,partial (cause) - weather condition - crosswind - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis During takeoff with a 7 knot left quartering tailwind, the pilot raised the tail wheel off the runway at approximately 40 miles per hour and the aircraft immediately entered a left ground loop that full right rudder and brake was unable to stop. The aircraft ground looped through 270 degrees and came to rest about 100 feet off the left side of the runway and 1,000 feet from the departure threshold. The pilot reported that brake disk retaining clips were recovered from the runway and that the right-hand brake disk retaining ring was broken permitting the disk to come out of the wheel. ## Factual narrative On April 19, 1996, at 0917 hours mountain standard time, a Helio H-295 aircraft, N6470V, was substantially damaged when it veered off runway 21 during the takeoff roll at the Grand Canyon Airport, Grand Canyon, Arizona. There were no injuries to the private pilot and three passengers. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight which was destined for Moab, Utah. The pilot told inspectors from the FAA Flight Standards District Office in Las Vegas, Nevada, that during the takeoff roll the aircraft veered to the left for undetermined reasons. He input right rudder and right brake, but could not stop the aircraft from leaving the runway approximately 1,000 feet from the departure end. There was a left quartering tailwind of 7 knots. In his report to the NTSB, the pilot described a normal takeoff until he raised the tail wheel off the runway at approximately 40 miles per hour, at which time the aircraft "immediately entered a left ground loop that full right rudder and brake was unable to stop." The aircraft ground looped through 270 degrees and came to rest heading northwest, about 100 feet off the left side of the runway. The pilot reported that brake disk retaining clips were recovered from the runway and that the right-hand brake disk retaining ring was broken permitting the disk to come out of the wheel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6470V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6470V), registered now, S/N 1421, built 1970 (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: 1421 - Airframe hours: 2257 - Engines: Lycoming GO-480-G1D6 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William W. Laxson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 1996, 49 hours before - Departed: GCN - Destination: CYN, MOAB, UT - Airport: GCN, Grand Canyon Natl Park, runway 21, 8,999 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 577 total, 248 in this make and model, 528 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GCN ## 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 19960419009439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960419009439A), Apr 19, 1996: Helio H295, Grand Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. Veered left on downwind takeoff. No right brake. Ground looped. Brake disk retaining ring broke separating disk. 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.