# NTSB NYC95LA163: Helio H-295, N316LM, Block Island, RI, June 30, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 30, 1995, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Block Island, RI - Location: 41.1681° N, 71.5778° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BLOCK ISLAND STATE (BID), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1681&lon=-71.5778&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 8, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39006 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA163 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39006/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA163 ## Probable cause the failure of the crosswind castering gear to remain locked on the right main gear during the takeoff roll which resulted in directional control not possible. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,gear locking mechanism - unlocked (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ditch - Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS DEPARTING RUNWAY 28. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE STARTED TRACKING LEFT, AND THE PILOT APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER. THE AIRPLANE TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND THE PILOT APPLIED FULL LEFT RUDDER AND BRAKE. HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO THE RIGHT AND OFF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE CROSSED A DRAINAGE DITCH AND THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. THE WINDS REPORTED AT BLOCK ISLAND, AT 1535, WERE FROM 210 DEGREES AT 11 KNOTS. ADDITIONALLY, THE PILOT STATED, 'GOODYEAR CROSSWIND CASTERING GEAR UNLOCKED ON RIGHT WHEEL AND TURNED FULL RIGHT ON TAKEOFF.' ## Factual narrative On June 30, 1995, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Helio H-295, N316LM, was substantially damaged during the takeoff roll, at Block Island State Airport, Block Island, Rhode Island. The airline transport pilot and five passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. There was no flight plan for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated in the NTSB form 6120.1/2: ...Takeoff to west, wind approximately 8 knots, crosswind from left. Using 18 degrees flap, locked tailwheel and left Goodyear crosswind gear locked out. Smoothly applied takeoff power....Aircraft started to track left into crosswind. Applied some right rudder. Aircraft turned 45 degrees to right. Left runway with full left rudder, aileron and left brake. Aircraft continued to turn right. Yanked off power, aircraft turned more than 180 degrees sliding sideways into drain ditch, collapsed left gear....Inspection [of] aircraft right crosswind gear appeared unlocked. Additionally, under the section of mechanical malfunction failure, the pilot checked yes and stated, "Goodyear crosswind casting gear unlocked on right wheel and turned full right on takeoff." The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector's statement stated, ...While attempting a...takeoff from Block Island State Airport, runway 28, the pilot...stated, a strong crosswind pushed the tail of the aircraft to the left about the time he hit rotation speed. He attempted to correct using what he described as a lot of right rudder, when the aircraft suddenly went to the right and he ground looped. [The pilot] said he remembered locking the tailwheel before beginning his takeoff roll. The winds reported at Block Island, at 1535, were from 210 degrees at 11 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N316LM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N316LM-2010-11-29), registration cancelled 2010-11-29, S/N 1211, built 1966 (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: 1211 - Airframe hours: 2250 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-470 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John Peter Vandersluis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1995, 25 hours before - Departed: BID - Airport: BID, Block Island State, runway 28, 2,501 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; flight engineer, military, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 32,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 22,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BID ## 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 19950630030519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950630030519A), Jun 30, 1995: Helio H295, Block Island, RI, Substantial damage. Veered into crosswind on initial takeoff roll. Used right rudder no help. Left runway. Castering right gear unlocked 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.