# NTSB SEA84LA026: Helio H-391B, N4431U, Hood River, OR, November 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1983, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Hood River, OR
- Coordinates: 45.609615, -121.580963 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6096&lon=-121.5810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39855/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA026

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO FAA INSPECTORS, THE PLT MADE A HI SPEED TURNOFF ONTO A TAXIWAY AFTER LANDING & GROUND LOOPED THE ACFT. THE PLT STATED THAT THE RIGHT BRAKE FAILED, THE ACFT ROLLED OFF THE RWY INTO MUD & THE PLANE SPUN 270 DEG TO THE LEFT. HOWEVER, THE RIGHT BRAKE WAS EXAMINED, ADEQUATE BRAKE FLUID WAS AVAILABLE & THERE WAS NO VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4431U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4431U), registered now, S/N 091 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H-391B
- Registry model: [Helio H-391B](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-391b) (registry code 4300106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 091
- Airframe hours: 2052
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-435-C2B 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas P. Falk
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1983
- Departed: DLS, THE DALLES, OR
- Destination: 4S2, HOOD RIVER, OR
- Airport: 4S2, Hood River, runway 25, 3,040 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 617 total, 78 in this make and model, 555 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Observed at: DLS, 18 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 19831119063709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831119063709A), Nov 19, 1983: Helio H391B, Hood River, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot gound looped aircraft during landing when he attempted high speed turn off of runway.

## Other investigations on N4431U (2)

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.

- [NTSB CEN25LA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA325), Aug 18, 2025: Helio H-391B (N4431U), Monroe, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a crosswind.
- [NTSB SEA92LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA191), Aug 26, 1992: Helio H-391B (N4431U), Edmonds, WA, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHEN AN EXHAUST VALVE SEIZED IN THE OPEN POSITION AND THE WATER WHERE THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO LAND, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACFT NOSE OVER ON TOUCHDOWN.

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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