# NTSB NYC93LA038: Helio H-700, N50DV, Shelton, CT, December 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1992, 14:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Shelton, CT
- Location: 41.3046° N, 73.1392° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shelton, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3046&lon=-73.1392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37274
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37274/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA038

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CHECK THE POSITION OF THE LANDING GEAR BEFORE ATTEMPTING A WATER LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing
  - electrical system,circuit breaker - not engaged (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels down landing in water - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AMPHIBIAN AIRPLANE TOOK OFF FROM A PAVED RUNWAY AND WAS CONDUCTING A WATER LANDING.  THE PILOT SAID, 'LANDED ON RIVER...IMMEDIATE PITCH FORWARD TO INVERTED.'  THE FAA INSPECTOR'S EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE LANDING GEAR HANDLE WAS IN THE 'UP' POSITION, BUT THE LANDING GEAR WAS IN THE 'DOWN' POSITION.  THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTION CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS 'OUT,' THUS RENDERING THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTION SYSTEM INOPERATIVE.  THE CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS RESET, AND THE LANDING GEAR WAS RETRACTED SEVERAL TIMES.  ALL LANDING GEAR INDICATOR LIGHTS OPERATED NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50DV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N50DV), registered now, S/N H-12, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H-700
- Registry model: [Helio H-700](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-700) (registry code 4300400) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 201224
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Blau
- Registered owner: William Blau
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: BDR, BRIDGEPORT, CT
- Destination: BDR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,141 total, 340 in this make and model, 1,080 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F

## 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 19921206049179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921206049179A), Dec 6, 1992: Helio H700, Shelton, CT, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Amphibious H700 nosed over on touchdown water landing. Found circuit breaker popped. Gear up condition not verified

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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