N25BA Helio H-391B accident

NTSB DEN02LA048 · 2002-05-24 · Cheyenne, WY · near CYS

Summary

The pilot said there was "a slight crosswind from the left at 10 knots" as he rolled out onto the right side of runway 26 (9,200 feet x 150 feet, concrete, grooved). As the tail wheel lifted off and the front gear started getting "light," a gust of wind started turning the airplane into the wind. Just prior to liftoff, the right gear collapsed and the airplane veered off the runway, buckling the right forward fuselage and firewall. Wind at the time of the accident was from 190 degrees at 13 knots.

Full narrative

On May 24, 2002, at 1203 mountain daylight time, a Helio H-391B, N25BA, was substantially damaged when the airplane ground looped during takeoff at Cheyenne Airport, Cheyenne, Wyoming. The private pilot was not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, a VFR flight plan had been filed but had not activated, and a special VFR departure clearance had been obtained. The personal flight was being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, and was en route to Logan, Utah.

According to the pilot's accident report, there was "a slight crosswind from the left at 10 knots" as he rolled out onto the right side of runway 26 (9,200 feet x 150 feet, concrete, grooved). As the tail wheel lifted off and the front gear started getting "light," a gust of wind started turning the airplane into the wind. Just prior to liftoff, the right gear collapsed and the airplane veered off the runway between taxiways B4 and B5.

The following recorded weather conditions existed at the time of the accident: wind, 190 degrees at 13 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; ceiling, 800 feet broken, 13,000 feet overcast; temperature 3 degrees C. (37.4 degrees F.); dew point, 0 degrees C. (32 degrees F.); altimeter setting, 30.10.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed right wing damage from the root to the tip. The fixed right landing gear had collapsed, buckling the right forward fuselage and firewall.

Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type: Accident
Highest injury: None
Weather conditions: Instrument Meteorological Cond
Light condition: Day
Sky condition: BKN
Ceiling (ft): 800
Visibility (sm): 10
Wind direction: 190
Wind speed (kt): 13
Temperature (F): 37
Nearest airport: CHEYENNE
Distance from field: 0.0
Airport elevation: 6156

Aircraft

Registration	Make	Model	Damage	FAR part
N25BA	Helio	H-391B	SUBS	091

Sequence of events

#	Occurrence	Phase
1	260	Cruise
2	230	Cruise

Findings

Finding
24537
24539	cause
19200