Helio H 295 accident near Nenana, Alaska, November 15, 2014
On November 15, 2014 at about 1:45 am local time, a 1969 Helio H 295, registered N6465V, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Nenana, Alaska (Old Minto airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 15, 2014 · about 1:45 am local time
- Place
- Nenana, Alaska · Old Minto · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Helio H 295, built 1969 · all H 295s on the register
- Registration
- N6465V · registry record · serial 1417
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that, just after takeoff, as the airplane climbed through about 35 ft above ground level, the engine began to gradually lose power. Unable to restore power, the pilot made a forced landing in an area of densely populated trees. During the forced landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane's engine or systems. The engine was subsequently started and then operated while still mounted on the airplane's airframe. No anomalies were observed during its operation, and the engine produced full factory-specified rpm.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,100 hours in all; 60 in this make and model; 360 in the last 90 days; 120 in the last 30 days; 5,350 as pilot in command; 1,900 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 15, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,730 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 17, 2014; 14 hours since
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming GO-480 SERIES (piston); 5,021 hours total
- Operator: Wright Air Service
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Nenana AK
- Destination: PAFA Fairbanks AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 34, 1,000 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 080° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 27°F (-3°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N6465V the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.