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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 2, 1994 · Helio H-800 · N4104D

Foley, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 2, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Foley, MN
Aircraft
Helio H-800
Tail Number
N4104D
Operator
Thomas J Hammer
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA144

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND HAD FLOWN APPROXIMATELY 2.3 HOURS AFTER HIS INITIAL DEPARTURE WITH 45 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE AMPHIBIOUS FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE. HIS ESTIMATION OF FUEL CONSUMPTION WAS 39 GALLONS PER HOUR (GPH) AT TAKEOFF POWER AND 23 GPH AT CRUISE. SEVERAL TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS WERE PERFORMED DURING THE FLIGHT. WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON A GRAVEL ROAD. DURING LANDING, THE FLOAT NOSE WHEELS DUG INTO SOFT GRAVEL AND THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED OVER. POST CRASH INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO ENGINE ANOMOLIES, NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE TANKS, NOR ANY INDICATION OF FUEL SPILLAGE ON THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED HE BELIEVED HE EXHAUSTED HIS FUEL SUPPLY.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO PERFORM ACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT GRAVEL ROAD LANDING AREA.

Full Narrative

On May 1, 1994, at 2020 hours central daylight time, an amphibian Helio H-800, N4104D, operated by T. J. Farms of St. Cloud, Minnesota, was substantially damaged 10 miles northeast of St. Cloud Municipal Airport, St. Cloud, Minnesota. The pilot experienced a total loss of engine power and made a forced landing on a gravel road. The amphibious float equipped airplane went over an embankment, dragged a float tip in soft gravel, and came to a stop upside down. The private pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and winds were calm. The flight originated at Princeton Municipal Airport, Princeton, Minnesota, at 2015 hours central standard time to reposition the airplane to a private strip at Long Lake, southeast of St. Cloud, Minnesota. No flight plan was filed. Installation of amphibious floats had just been completed on the airplane. The pilot stated he had departed Cambridge Municipal Airport, Cambridge, Minnesota, 2.3 tachometer hours earlier with an estimated 45 gallons of fuel, performed touch and go landings, and was on his final leg of this flight. The pilot also stated he believes he exhausted his fuel supply. The fuel consumption of the Lycoming IO-720A engine installed on the H-800 is 33 gallons per hour (gph) at takeoff rated power and 23 gph at 75% cruise power as per Lycoming data. This was confirmed by the pilot and FAA inspector on scene. Post crash investigation revealed no fuel in the tanks, nor any indication of fuel spillage on the ground below the wreckage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:20 CDT
Nearest Airport10nm ENE
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHelio H-800
Tail NumberN4104D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorThomas J Hammer
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-720 A/B · Reciprocating · 400
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C / 28 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data