Helio H-391B N8750R
20 November 1989 · Plainwell, Michigan, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 20 November 1989 at about 18:00 local time, a Helio H-391B registered N8750R was involved in an accident near Plainwell, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Plainwell, Michigan, United States
- Nearest airport
- Otsego-Plainwell Muni (61D)
- Coordinates
- 42.4391, -85.6397
- Aircraft
- Helio H-391B
- Registration
- N8750R
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Davenport → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI90LA031
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
FAILURE OF THE CROSSWIND LANDING GEAR SYSTEM TO ENGAGE ON THE LEFT MAIN GEAR DUE TO IMPROPER RIGGING ADJUSTMENT BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS (GUSTS AND QUARTERING CROSSWIND) AND SOFT TERRAIN IN THE DITCH.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING TOUCHDOWN, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IT SWERVED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED WHEN IT RAN THROUGH SOFT TERRAIN IN A DITCH. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A STOP ABOUT 200 FEET FROM THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY. A POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT THE CROSS-WIND LANDING GEAR LOCK SYSTEM WAS IMPROPERLY RIGGED. THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR LOCK PIN FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WAS FREE TO 'CASTER' DURING TOUCHDOWN AND ON THE LANDING ROLL, WHILE THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR REMAINED LOCKED. THE PILOT HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT. HE STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE PERFORMED A MORE THOROUGH PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTION. HE HAD 175 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME, WITH 17 HOURS IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT. HE HAD RECEIVED SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION IN THE AIRCRAFT, BECAUSE OF ITS UNCOMMON DESIGN AND CHARACTERISTICS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Helio H-391B accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Sep 1990 | Helio H-391B | Circle, Alaska, United States | Mastolier, Gary | No injuries | - |
| 26 Aug 1992 | Helio H-391B | Edmonds, Washington, United States | Brown, Christopher K. | No injuries | - |
| 6 Dec 1985 | Helio H-391B | Bozeman, Montana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 5 Jun 1983 | Helio H-391B | Croton, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 19 Nov 1983 | Helio H-391B | Hood River, Oregon, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 29 May 1981 | Helio H-391B | Bellingham, Washington, United States | Allsop, Inc | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 1989 | Cessna 177 | Manistique, Michigan, United States | Kodiak Flying Club | Minor injuries | - |
| 4 Oct 1989 | Cessna T182 | Sodus, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Oct 1989 | Cessna 152 | Lakeville, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Oct 1989 | Cessna 152 | Hillsdale, Michigan, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 6 Jan 1989 | Cessna T303 | Romeo, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Oct 1989 | Cessna 172H | Bay City, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |