Pilot Debrief

Helio H 250 near Seward, AK — 2019-06-21

Final reportANC19FA026
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Date
2019-06-21
Location
Seward, AK, USA
Aircraft
Helio H 250
Registration
N6314V
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
3
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during takeoff, which resulted in an in-flight collision, a loss of control, and impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The airline transport pilot was asked to pick up two passengers, and their equipment, from a remote unimproved, grass-covered airstrip that was surrounded by trees at the southern end of the site. After failing to return with the passengers, a friend of the pilot initiated an aerial search and found the airplane at the south end of the airstrip on the shoreline of a small river. The airplane was observed in a near vertical position and had largely been consumed by a postcrash fire. The initial impact point was marked by a fresh tree break in an area of 85 ft. tall trees at the departure end of the site. The airplane's left wing had a large elliptical-shaped impact area with fresh pieces of the broken tree wedged inside. First responders found some of the passenger's equipment/luggage on the side of the accident airstrip, which appeared to have been intentionally left. The exact takeoff weight of the airplane is unknown due to the postcrash fire. During an NTSB postaccident examination of the airplane and engine, no mechanical malfunction or anomalies were found. Given the lack of any mechanical deficiencies with the airplane, the grass-covered airstrip, and a stand of tall trees at the departure end of the site, it is likely the airplane collided with a tall tree during initial climb out, and subsequently the pilot lost control of the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen not to attempt landing at the unimproved airstrip.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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