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NTSB Report
September 29, 1990 · Helio HST-550A · N5779N
Mobile, AL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 29, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries), 9 uninjured
Location
Mobile, AL
Aircraft
Helio HST-550A
Tail Number
N5779N
Operator
Mullins Howard M
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL90LA182
THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AND POWER LINES DURING TAKEOFF FROM A 2000 FOOT LONG OPEN AREA WITH 10 PARACHUTISTS ABOARD. THE PILOT SAID HE EXPERINENCED AN UNSOLICITED ROLLBACK IN ENGINE POWER PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. REPORTEDLY, SOME POWER WAS REGAINED. HOWEVER, NOT IN TIME TO AVOID THE COLLISION. BUT, THE JUMP CLUB CHAIRMAN REPORTED THAT NO CHANGE IN THE ENGINE'S OPERATION WAS OBSERVED THROUGHOUT THE MISHAP. WITNESSES AT THE TAKEOFF AREA REPORTED THAT THE WINDS WERE 12 KNOTS OUT OF THE NORTHEAST, WHICH WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE FLIGHT A QUARTERING TAILWIND COMPONENT FOR THE TAKEOFF. ACCORDING TO THE FLIGHT MANUAL, THE MAXIMUM DEMONSTRATED CROSSWIND IS 12 KNOTS. THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO INDICATE ANY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF WITH A KNOWN TAILWIND COMPONENT. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE TAILWIND, TREES AND UTILITY LINES ON THE DEPARTURE END OF THE TAKEOFF AREA.
Full Narrative
THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AND POWER LINES DURING TAKEOFF FROM A 2000 FOOT LONG OPEN AREA WITH 10 PARACHUTISTS ABOARD. THE PILOT SAID HE EXPERINENCED AN UNSOLICITED ROLLBACK IN ENGINE POWER PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. REPORTEDLY, SOME POWER WAS REGAINED. HOWEVER, NOT IN TIME TO AVOID THE COLLISION. BUT, THE JUMP CLUB CHAIRMAN REPORTED THAT NO CHANGE IN THE ENGINE'S OPERATION WAS OBSERVED THROUGHOUT THE MISHAP. WITNESSES AT THE TAKEOFF AREA REPORTED THAT THE WINDS WERE 12 KNOTS OUT OF THE NORTHEAST, WHICH WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE FLIGHT A QUARTERING TAILWIND COMPONENT FOR THE TAKEOFF. ACCORDING TO THE FLIGHT MANUAL, THE MAXIMUM DEMONSTRATED CROSSWIND IS 12 KNOTS. THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO INDICATE ANY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:17 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHelio HST-550A
Tail NumberN5779N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMullins Howard M
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT 6A-34 · Turboprop · 750
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries), 9 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured9
Total11
Crew 1Age 44 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 5 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time13:50
Weather SourceWFAC