# NTSB SEA07LA009: Helio H-295, N6471V, Lake Isabel, WA, October 21, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 21, 2006, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Lake Isabel, WA - Coordinates: 47.870555, -121.589721 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8706&lon=-121.5897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64749 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07LA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64749/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA009 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering for a precautionary landing following a partial loss of engine power, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush and subsequent hard landing. A contributing factor was the partial loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. ## Analysis According to the pilot, he landed the floatplane on the lake and back taxied for takeoff. The takeoff was normal until the airplane reached an altitude of 50 to 75 feet at which point he noticed that the engine was producing only "2/3rds power with full throttle." The pilot was concerned about not being able to clear trees at the end of the lake if he continued straight ahead, so he elected to execute a 180 degree turn and land back on the lake. As the steep left turn was completed, the airplane lost lift, and the landing was hard. The airplane began to rapidly fill with water, and the pilot and passenger exited through the rear cabin door. As the pilot and passenger were swimming to shore, the airplane completely submerged. The airplane was not recovered from the lake, which precluded determination for the reason of the partial loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On October 21, 2006, about 1400 Pacific daylight time, a Helio H-295 floatplane, N6471V, experienced a partial loss of engine power on takeoff, landed hard during the ensuing precautionary landing and sank in Lake Isabel, Washington. The private pilot received minor injuries and his passenger received serious injuries. The airplane is presumed to have sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to Berger Leasing LLC of Monroe, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane had departed from Firstair Field Airport in Monroe about 1340, landed on Lake Isabel, and was departing for the return flight to Monroe when the accident occurred. According to the pilot, he landed the airplane on the lake and back taxied for takeoff. The takeoff was normal until the airplane reached an altitude of 50 to 75 feet at which point he noticed that the engine was producing only "2/3rds power with full throttle." The pilot was concerned about not being able to clear trees at the end of the lake if he continued straight ahead, so he elected to execute a 180 degree turn and land back on the lake. As the steep left turn was completed, the airplane lost lift, and the landing was hard. The airplane began to rapidly fill with water, and the pilot and passenger exited through the rear cabin door. As the pilot and passenger were swimming to shore, the airplane completely submerged. According to a representative of the owner, as of December 6, 2006, there are no plans to recover the airplane from the lake. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined. The owner's representative stated that the passenger sustained "cracked ribs." ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - water ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6471V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6471V), registered now, S/N 1422, built 1970 (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: 1422 - Airframe hours: 3898 - Engines: Lycoming GO-480 295 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Berger Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2005 - Departed: Lake Isabel, WA - Destination: W16, Monroe, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 414 total, 127 in this make and model, 297 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °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 20061021021189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061021021189A), Oct 21, 2006: Helio H295, Lake Isabel, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Amphibious airplane lost power immediately after takeoff (less than 100 feet in altitude) from Lake Isabel, Washington. Engine continued to operate but… 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.