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NTSB Report

September 1, 2004 · Helio Aircraft H800 · N4033G

Fossil, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 1, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Fossil, OR
Aircraft
Helio Aircraft H800
Tail Number
N4033G
Operator
John Frank Schmidt Iii
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA04LA178

Immediately after becoming airborne the pilot realized that he had failed to remove the exterior aileron wing locks. About 75 to 100 feet above ground level (AGL) the pilot reduced power and lowered the nose to maintain airspeed and a wings level attitude. About 75 feet AGL the left wing started to drop slowly and eventually impacted the ground at an approximate 30 to 35 degree left bank. A post crash examination of the accident site revealed the left and right aileron wing gust locks were located approximately 10 and 15 feet on the ground outboard of their respective wingtips.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to remove the aileron wing gust locks prior to flight, which resulted in a loss of control during the descent/emergency landing. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight.

Full Narrative

On September 1, 2004, approximately 1235 Pacific daylight time, a Helio Aircraft LTD H800, single-engine airplane, N4033G, was destroyed after impacting terrain following takeoff-initial climb approximately 14 nautical miles southwest of Fossil, Oregon. The airplane was registered to Schmidt Aviation Inc., of Boring, Oregon, and operated by a private individual. The certificated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was conducted in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that he intended to make a short flight of approximately 5 miles to a friend's ranch. The pilot stated that flight conditions were favorable with light winds, and that immediately after becoming airborne he realized that he had inadvertently failed to remove the exterior aileron wing locks. The pilot reported that immediately after realizing this, "...I made the decision to get the plane back on the ground as quick as possible." The pilot stated that he was about 75 to 100 feet above ground level (AGL) when he reduced power and lowered the nose to maintain airspeed and a wings level attitude. The pilot further stated that while in his descent and about 75 feet AGL, the left wing started to drop slowly and eventually impacted the ground at an approximate 30 to 35 degree left bank. There was no post crash fire. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, who traveled to the accident site, reported the aft fuselage/tail section had been severed aft of the rear cabin bulkhead, coming to rest vertically against the right underside area of the forward fuselage. The forward fuselage, comprising the cabin and cockpit areas, came to rest in a vertical position resting on the forward cockpit area and both leading edge wings. The leading edges of both wings were wrinkled and crushed aft. The inspector also reported that the left and right wing gust locks were located approximately 10 and 15 feet on the ground outboard of their respective wingtips.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:35 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHelio Aircraft H800
Tail NumberN4033G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJohn Frank Schmidt Iii
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsAvco Lycoming · IO-720-AlB · Turboprop · 400
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 18 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 48
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time19:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data