Helio H-295 accident near Encampment, Wyoming, June 5, 1988
On June 5, 1988 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Helio H-295, registered N6454V, was destroyed in an accident near Encampment, Wyoming (Mill Creek Strip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 5, 1988 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Encampment, Wyoming · Mill Creek Strip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Helio H-295 · all H-295s on the register
- Registration
- N6454V · registry record · serial 1406
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT STATED HE CALCULATED THE DENSITY ALTITUDE TO HAVE BEEN 11,300 FT AT TAKEOFF. HE SAID THE ACFT WAS NEAR MAX GROSS WT AND THAT THE GRASS STRIP HE DEPARTED FROM WAS APPROX 1,500 FT LONG. THE PLT STATED 'I WAS ON THE ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE PWR CURVE AS ALWAYS WITH A STOL TAKEOFF.' THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB HIGHER THAN 50 FT AGL AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT DECIDED TO EXECUTE A 'CONTROLLED CRASH.' THE ACFT STRUCK SEVERAL TREES AND CAME TO REST IN A BEAVER POND. THE WRECKAGE WAS DESTROYED BY A POST CRASH FIRE. THE GRASS STRIP IS SURROUNDED BY TREES AND HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 500 hours in all; 300 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 50 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming GO-480 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: Encampment WY at 10:55 pm
- Destination: 1V5 Boulder CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 1,500 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.
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.