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NTSB Report
March 10, 1988 · Helio HT-295 · N68871
Oracle, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 10, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Oracle, AZ
Aircraft
Helio HT-295
Tail Number
N68871
Operator
Willow Springs Ranch
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88LA123
THE PILOT SAID THAT HE HAD COMPLETED A CATTLE SURVEY AND WAS RETURNING TO THE RANCH AIRSTRIP WHEN HE ADDED POWER TO CLIMB BACK TO PATTERN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT STATED THAT AS HE ADDED THROTTLE HE HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE TURNED ON THE BOOST PUMP BUT IT HAD NO EFFECT ON THE ENGINE POWER OUTPUT. THE PILOT NOTED THAT HE PUMPED THE THROTTLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTORE LIMITED POWER; HOWEVER, THE POWER LEVEL WAS NOT ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED ONTO THE GROUND, TRAVELING UPSLOPE ON A HILL, AND HIT SEVERAL SMALL TREES WHICH SHEARED OFF THE LEFT LANDING GEAR. A POST CRASH FIRE CONSUMED THE AIRCRAFT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT ALL ENGINE ACCESSORIES WERE DESTROYED AND COULD NOT BE FUNCTIONALLY TESTED. NO INTERNAL ABNORMALITY WAS NOTED ON THE ENGINE.
NTSB Probable Cause
ENGINE FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT SAID THAT HE HAD COMPLETED A CATTLE SURVEY AND WAS RETURNING TO THE RANCH AIRSTRIP WHEN HE ADDED POWER TO CLIMB BACK TO PATTERN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT STATED THAT AS HE ADDED THROTTLE HE HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE TURNED ON THE BOOST PUMP BUT IT HAD NO EFFECT ON THE ENGINE POWER OUTPUT. THE PILOT NOTED THAT HE PUMPED THE THROTTLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTORE LIMITED POWER; HOWEVER, THE POWER LEVEL WAS NOT ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED ONTO THE GROUND, TRAVELING UPSLOPE ON A HILL, AND HIT SEVERAL SMALL TREES WHICH SHEARED OFF THE LEFT LANDING GEAR. A POST CRASH FIRE CONSUMED THE AIRCRAFT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT ALL ENGINE ACCESSORIES WERE DESTROYED AND COULD NOT BE FUNCTIONALLY TESTED. NO INTERNAL ABNORMALITY WAS NOTED ON THE ENGINE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHelio HT-295
Tail NumberN68871
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWillow Springs Ranch
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · GO-480-GA16 · Reciprocating · 280
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO