# NTSB SEA04LA178: Helio H800, N4033G, Fossil, OR, September 1, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 2004, 12:35 local (19:35 UTC) - Place: Fossil, OR - Coordinates: 44.847778, -120.410278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8478&lon=-120.4103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60043 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60043/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA178 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to remove the aileron wing gust locks prior to flight, which resulted in a loss of control during the descent/emergency landing. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - flight control,gust lock - not removed (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis Immediately after becoming airborne the pilot realized that he had failed to remove the exterior aileron wing locks. About 75 to 100 feet above ground level (AGL) the pilot reduced power and lowered the nose to maintain airspeed and a wings level attitude. About 75 feet AGL the left wing started to drop slowly and eventually impacted the ground at an approximate 30 to 35 degree left bank. A post crash examination of the accident site revealed the left and right aileron wing gust locks were located approximately 10 and 15 feet on the ground outboard of their respective wingtips. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 2004, approximately 1235 Pacific daylight time, a Helio Aircraft LTD H800, single-engine airplane, N4033G, was destroyed after impacting terrain following takeoff-initial climb approximately 14 nautical miles southwest of Fossil, Oregon. The airplane was registered to Schmidt Aviation Inc., of Boring, Oregon, and operated by a private individual. The certificated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was conducted in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that he intended to make a short flight of approximately 5 miles to a friend's ranch. The pilot stated that flight conditions were favorable with light winds, and that immediately after becoming airborne he realized that he had inadvertently failed to remove the exterior aileron wing locks. The pilot reported that immediately after realizing this, "...I made the decision to get the plane back on the ground as quick as possible." The pilot stated that he was about 75 to 100 feet above ground level (AGL) when he reduced power and lowered the nose to maintain airspeed and a wings level attitude. The pilot further stated that while in his descent and about 75 feet AGL, the left wing started to drop slowly and eventually impacted the ground at an approximate 30 to 35 degree left bank. There was no post crash fire. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, who traveled to the accident site, reported the aft fuselage/tail section had been severed aft of the rear cabin bulkhead, coming to rest vertically against the right underside area of the forward fuselage. The forward fuselage, comprising the cabin and cockpit areas, came to rest in a vertical position resting on the forward cockpit area and both leading edge wings. The leading edges of both wings were wrinkled and crushed aft. The inspector also reported that the left and right wing gust locks were located approximately 10 and 15 feet on the ground outboard of their respective wingtips. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4033G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4033G-2007-02-14), registration cancelled 2007-02-14, S/N H-1, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Helio Aircraft LTD H800 - Registry model: [Helio H800](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h800) (registry code 4300500) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: H-1 - Airframe hours: 899.8 - Engines: Avco Lycoming IO-720-AlB 400 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Frank Schmidt III - Registered owner: Schmidt Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 2004, 38.8 hours before - Departed: Fossil, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 9, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 3,213 total, 626 in this make and model, 3,213 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 18 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: RDM, 54 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 20040901020979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040901020979A), Sep 1, 2004: Helio H800, The Dalles, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances near fossil, OR. Substantial damage to a/c, pilot transported to bend hospital with serious injuries. 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.