Helio H391B N289LM

Summary

On 23 March 1991 at about 18:01 local time, a Helio H391B registered N289LM, operated by DAN Stover, was involved in an accident near Prescott, Arizona, United States. 2 people were 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.

Date

23 March 1991 at 18:01

Classification

Accident

Location

Prescott, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Ernest Love Field (PRC)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Helio H391B

Registration

N289LM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

DAN Stover

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Phoenix

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX91LA144

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE CROSS WIND AND SOFT TERRAIN, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT/FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WAS DEPARTING ON A PROPOSED CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE SURFACE WINDS WERE A DIRECT CROSSWIND FROM THE LEFT. WHEN THE TAIL LIFTED ON THE CONVENTIONAL GEAR AIRPLANE THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED WHEN IT EXITED THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK THE SOFT MUD ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE LEFT BRAKE WAS BEING APPLIED BY A MECHANICAL FAILURE. EXAMINATION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. THE PILOT HAD ACCRUED ONLY 19 HOURS IN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE MAKE AND MODEL.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.