Accident Overview
On November 14, 2014, at approximately 1645 Alaska standard time, a Helio Courier H-295 airplane, registration N6465V, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power after takeoff. The accident occurred at a remote unimproved airstrip near Nenana, Alaska. The airplane was operated by Wright Air Service of Fairbanks, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand charter flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Old Minto, Alaska, at about 1640, with a destination of Fairbanks, Alaska.
Pilot and Occupants
The certificated airline transport pilot and two passengers were not injured during the accident. The pilot reported that just after takeoff, as the airplane climbed through approximately 35 feet above ground level, the engine began to gradually lose power. Unable to restore engine power, he executed a forced landing into an area of densely populated black spruce trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage during the landing.
Engine Examination
The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming GO-480-G1D6 engine, which had its pressure carburetor replaced with a Bendix fuel injection system under a Federal Aviation Administration field approval. On November 21, 2014, an engine examination was conducted by National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air safety inspectors, with a representative from Wright Air Service present. No anomalies, contamination, or evidence of malfunction were found in any of the engine accessories. The cylinders, pistons, valve train, crankshaft, and other internal components showed no evidence of anomaly or malfunction.
At the direction of the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the engine fuel servo was removed and tested. During fuel flow testing, the fuel servo produced a correct fuel mixture at a full-power setting. On December 23, the engine, still mounted on the accident airframe, was operated under the direction of the investigative team. The engine ran without any observed anomalies and produced full factory-specified rpm. A drop of about 25 rpm was noted for the left and right magnetos. A series of power adjustments from idle to full power were conducted with no hesitation in engine operation.
Weather Information
The closest weather reporting facility was Nenana Airport, approximately 23 miles south of the accident site. At 1653, an automated weather observation reported wind from 080 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 27 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and altimeter setting 30.16 inHg.