Helio HE391B N9050R

Summary

On 26 February 1994 at about 19:35 local time, a Helio HE391B registered N9050R was involved in an accident near Saluda, South Carolina, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 February 1994 at 19:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Saluda, South Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Berry (NONE)

Coordinates

33.9992, -81.7700

Aircraft

Helio HE391B

Registration

N9050R

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Ferry

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

N.myrtle Beach → Abbevile

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL94LA054

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT'S AND MECHANIC'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY INSPECT THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

BEFORE THE DEPARTURE, THE OWNER COMPLETED EXTENSIVE MAINTENANCE ON THE AIRPLANE WHICH INCLUDED THE INSTALLATION OF REMANUFACTURED FUEL TANKS. SINCE THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR SEVERAL YEARS, THE PILOT REQUESTED AND WAS ISSUED A SPECIAL FLIGHT PERMIT FOR THIS FLIGHT. DURING THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS FEEDING FASTER FROM ONE TANK. APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS INTO THE VISUAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER, FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE DISCLOSED THAT FUEL LEAKED FROM AROUND THE LEFT FUEL CAP; THE EXAMINATION ALSO REVEALED A WORN FUEL CAP LOCKING LUG, AND TWO DETERIORATED FUEL CAP SEALS. ACCORDING TO TWO OPERATORS OF THE HELIO AIRCRAFT, WHEN THE FUEL CAPS LEAK IN-FLIGHT, FUEL WILL NOT GRAVITY FEED TO THE HOPPER TANK AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE ENGINE WILL BE STARVED OF FUEL.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.