# NTSB MIA82DA172: Helio H-395, N4197D, Near St. Marks, FL, August 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1982, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Near St. Marks, FL
- Coordinates: 30.16049, -84.199203 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1605&lon=-84.1992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71936
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82DA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71936/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82DA172

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,push rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT, THE ENGINE BEGAN MISSING AND STARTED VIBRATING EXCESSIVELY. THE PILOT FORCE LANDED IN A SWAMP WITH SAWGRASS AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED INVERTED. THE #3 EXHAUST PUSH ROD WAS MISSING AND WAS NOT FOUND, BUT DEBRIS FROM THE PUSH ROD SHROUD TUBE WAS FOUND INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4197D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H-395
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 571
- Airframe hours: 1304
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480 295 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Earle A. Cleare
- Registered owner: Earle A. Cleare
- Departed: QUINCY, FL
- Destination: MIAMI, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,950 total, 500 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Observed at: TLH, 34 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 19820817038849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820817038849A), Aug 17, 1982: Helio H395, St Marks, FL, Substantial damage. Engine vibrations en route. Shut down. Landed in a swamp and flipped inverted. #3 cylinder push rod was missing.

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.