# NTSB NYC00LA186: Helfer Flightstar II, N6057U, Greenland, NH, July 9, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 2000, 13:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Greenland, NH - Location: 43.0362° N, 70.8328° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Greenland, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0362&lon=-70.8328&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51280 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51280/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA186 ## Probable cause The pilot-in-command's improper decision to takeoff uphill, on a short runway with 50-foot high utility wires at the end, at a high gross weight. Factors were the high weight and uphill terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor) - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - short runway/landing area - object - wire,transmission - aircraft weight and balance - high (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot attempted to takeoff off on an up-sloping, 2,000-foot long turf runway, with 50-foot high utility wires at the departure end. The airplane struck the utility wires, and came to rest in a field. After the accident, the pilot stated that the airplane's gross weight was high, and he would have avoided the accident if he had departed on the opposite runway. The passenger stated that the gross weight was in excess of the aircraft limitations. He further stated that the engine performed well; but the up-sloping, 2,000-foot long turf runway, and 50-foot obstacles at the departure end, were factors in the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 2000, about 1350 Eastern Daylight Time, a Flightstar II, a homebuilt airplane, N6057U, was substantially damage during takeoff from a private airstrip near Greenland, New Hampshire. The certificated student pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated he made a "big mistake". The weight of the airplane was "high", and he attempted to takeoff up-slope. The airplane struck utility wires at the end of the airstrip, and came to rest in a field. The pilot added that if he had departed the airstrip in the opposite direction, he would have "made it". The right seat passenger stated that he weighed 200 pounds, and that the pilot was aware of the passenger's weight. The passenger added that the gross takeoff weight exceeded the aircraft limitations; and that the up-sloping 2,000-foot long turf runway, and 50-foot high utility wires at the departure end, were factors in the accident. The passenger further stated that the airplane performed well, but was not able to clear the obstacles. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The inspector observed damage to both wings and the fuselage. The inspector added that the pilot did not have a pilot logbook, or any endorsements from a certified flight instructor. Additionally, the airplane had an airworthiness restriction that all flights must originate and end at Orange County Airport (MGJ), Montgomery, New York. The flights were not to exceed more than 25 nautical miles from MGJ. According to the kit manufacturer, the make and model airplane had a basic empty weight of 385 pounds. It had a 10-gallon fuel capacity, and a maximum gross takeoff weight of 950 pounds. However, the exact basic empty weight of the accident airplane could differ from the manufacturer's advertisement. After a verbal and written request, the pilot failed to complete and return the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6057U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6057U-2003-10-07), registration cancelled 2003-10-07, S/N 217 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Helfer FLIGHTSTAR II (FLIGHTSTAR) - Registry model: [Helfer Paul FLIGHTSTAR II](https://openairdocs.org/model/helfer-paul-flightstar-ii) (registry code 05607DJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 217 - Engines: Rotax 503FA 54 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Paul Helfer - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; student; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PSM, 3 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 20000709043329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000709043329A), Jul 9, 2000: Amtr FLIGHTSTAR2, Greenland, NH, Substantial damage. (-23) Owner/pilot (student certificate) was operating a 2-seat ultralight that had recently been certificated as experimental and issued an airworthiness… 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.