Helio H 395 accident near Bethel, Alaska, September 18, 2015
On September 18, 2015 at about 11:40 pm local time, a 1964 Helio H 395, registered N910SP, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Bethel, Alaska. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain a positive climb rate during takeoff initial climb, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees and terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 18, 2015 · about 11:40 pm local time
- Place
- Bethel, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Helio H 395 UNDESIGNAT, built 1964 · all H 395s on the register
- Registration
- N910SP · registry record · serial 627
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the float-equipped airplane stated that after takeoff from a lake, about 30-50 feet above the treetops, the airplane encountered a downdraft and descended uncontrolled into trees and terrain. The nearest weather reporting station was 7 NM to the north, and reported that the wind was 350 degrees true at 17 knots, with gusts to 23. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal operation.
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
- Other weather encounter during initial climb
- Collision during takeoff/land during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Downdraft › Contributed to outcome
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,400 hours in all; 70 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days; 80 in the last 30 days; 4,300 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 23, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,332.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 6, 2015; 71 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming GO-480-G1D6 (piston); 2,210 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PABE Bethel AK
- Destination: PABE Bethel AK
- Runway NA, 2,100 ft by 2,100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 17 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,900 ft
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.64 inHg
- Observation at 11:56 pm from PASM, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on December 10, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record (Weight and Balance) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.