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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 13, 1994 · Helio H-700 · N4059H

Tok, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 13, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Tok, AK
Aircraft
Helio H-700
Tail Number
N4059H
Operator
40 Mile Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC94LA107

AFTER LANDING ON THE GRAVEL BAR ON THE ROBERTSON RIVER, THE LEFT WHEEL'S BRAKE 'WENT SOFT.' THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO CONTINUE THE LANDING ROLL AND PRIOR TO STRIKING THE DITCH, HE INTENTIONALLY GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE. DURING THE GROUND LOOP THE TAIL WHEEL STRUCK THE DITCH AND THE FUSELAGE BUCKLED. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE SHOWED THAT THE LEFT BRAKE'S TORQUE PLATE HAD SHEARED AND BROKEN THE BRAKE LINE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE'S NORMAL BRAKE SYSTEM.

Full Narrative

On August 12, 1994, at 1700 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Helio-Courier H-700 airplane, N4059H, registered to Charlie Warbelow and operated by 40 Mile Air, LTD, of Tok, Alaska, experienced a brake problem during landing on an airstrip located 40 miles southwest of Tok on the east fork of the Robertson River. The Air Taxi flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 135, departed Tok and the destination was the accident site. A company flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and the three passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. According to the pilot, as he attempted to stop the airplane through the use of his brakes, the left brake went soft. He allowed the airplane to continue rolling and just prior to running into a ditch he intentionally ground looped the airplane. The tailwheel hit the ditch and the fuselage buckled behind the aft baggage compartment. The pilot stated the torque plate had sheared from the brake calipers and the brake line had broken. The passengers were employees of the American Copper and Nickel Prospect. The operator did not submit their names on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHelio H-700
Tail NumberN4059H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operator40 Mile Air
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540 · Reciprocating · 350
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 41 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data