Helio H-295 N6468V

Summary

On 2 September 2009 at about 21:30 local time, a Helio H-295 registered N6468V, operated by Kirk Gay, was involved in an accident near Koliganek, Alaska, United States. 3 people were 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

2 September 2009 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Koliganek, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

59.7969, -157.1711

Aircraft

Helio H-295

Registration

N6468V

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Kirk Gay

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Nondalton → Nushagak

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC09CA091

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power during cruise flight due to water in the fuel, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, passenger flight in conjunction with his fish guiding business when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that he was flying about 700 feet above ground level in his float-equipped, single-engine airplane, when he began transferring fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank to the main fuel tank, and the engine lost power. After a failed attempt to restart the engine, he said he was forced to land the airplane on the tundra. The pilot said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. He further reported that it had been raining for several days, and he should have sumped the fuel tanks prior to takeoff. He also stated that he should have initiated the fuel transfer at a higher altitude over terrain that was suitable for landing. He said the float attachments and the fuselage were damaged during the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.