Helio H-395 N4198D

Summary

On 20 July 1999 at about 23:05 local time, a Helio H-395 registered N4198D was involved in an accident near Igiugig, Alaska, 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.

Date

20 July 1999 at 23:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Igiugig, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

58.7494, -156.5400

Aircraft

Helio H-395

Registration

N4198D

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kukaklek Lake → Kulik Lk Lodge

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC99LA095

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the downwind to upwind taxi turn. Factors associated with this accident were the high crosswind, the pilot's improper use of flaps, and his self-induced pressure because he was behind schedule.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot attempted to takeoff from a lake, with a 25 knot left crosswind. The first attempt was made close to shore, in the shelter of a bank on the lake's edge. The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) that the airplane's nose would not turn right, so he aborted the takeoff. He water taxied the airplane with the flaps set to the 1/2 position, farther downwind into the lake. He began to turn left, into the wind, and the wind lifted the left wing. The pilot said he added power, the right float dug into the water, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot indicated he was late, in a hurry, and should not have taxied in high winds with the flaps extended.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.