Pilot Debrief

HELIO HT-295 near Marion, OH — 2025-01-05

Final reportERA25LA091
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Date
2025-01-05
Location
Marion, OH, USA
Airport
MNN
Aircraft
HELIO HT-295
Registration
N18JC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The failure of the right main landing gear spring due to intergranular stress-corrosion cracking that progressed into fatigue. Contributing to the accident was the improper rework of the spring at an undetermined time.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the improper rework of the spring at an undetermined time.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after a normal landing, the pilot heard a “pop” followed by a leaning tendency to the right that he attempted to correct with flight control inputs. He could not arrest the right turn, and the airplane departed the right side of the runway and came to a stop, upright, in the grass. The right wing and right stabilator sustained substantial damage. The right main landing gear spring separated during the landing roll. Metallurgical examination of the spring revealed evidence of chloride intergranular stress-corrosion cracking that progressed into fatigue over time. The examination also found evidence of the spring being reworked after manufacture, with grinding marks perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the part (contrary to manufacturer-approved procedures), areas of missing paint, and corrosion pitting. The operator reported that the spring had not been removed or reworked since they purchased the airplane more than 25 years before the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to divert earlier due to deteriorating weather conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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