N68857 Helio H 295 accident

NTSB ANC20CA092 · 2020-09-10 · Fairbanks, AK

Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during takeoff, in gusty wind conditions, from a remote unimproved airstrip that was located along a river, the takeoff roll was normal. After the airplane became airborne, he initiated a turn to the right, and the right wing dropped suddenly and impacted a “root wad”. The pilot recovered airplane control after the impact and continued the flight back to the base airport without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

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. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type

Accident

Highest injury

None

Weather conditions

Visual Meteorological Cond

Light condition

Day

Sky condition

BKN

Ceiling (ft)

4000

Visibility (sm)

10

Wind direction

250

Wind speed (kt)

10

Temperature (F)

46

Distance from field

0.0

Aircraft

Sequence of events

Findings