# NTSB SEA92LA155: Helio H-295, N68857, Laramie, WY, July 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1992, 13:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Laramie, WY
- Coordinates: 41.31039, -105.580116 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3104&lon=-105.5801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42855/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA155

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, AND AN INADVERTENT GROUND-LOOP. FACTORS INCLUDE CROSSWINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE HELIO H-295 WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF IN A STRONG CROSSWIND WHEN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. BECAUSE HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. DURING THE ABORT THE AIRCRAFT GROUND-LOOPED, AND THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68857](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68857), registered now, S/N 1463, built 1974 (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: 1463
- Airframe hours: 2119
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-G1A6 295 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gainey, Mark & Russel, John
- Registered owner: Gainey, Mark & Russel, John
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1992, 13 hours before
- Departed: LAR
- Destination: RKS, ROCK SPRINGS, WY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LAR, General Brees Field, runway 21, 7,700 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 464 total, 275 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920714025539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920714025539A), Jul 14, 1992: Helio H295, Laramie, WY, Substantial damage. Tried depart in strong crosswind in tail dragger. Lost control. Ground looped. Collapsed right main gear.

## Other investigations on N68857 (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 ANC20CA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA092), Sep 10, 2020: Helio H 295 (N68857), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to initiate a right turn immediately after departure and his failure to maintain a proper crosswind correction, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC16LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16LA071), Sep 26, 2016: Helio H-295 (N68857), Delta Junction, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to take off from a wet, snowy airstrip and his delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.

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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