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NTSB Report
February 22, 1993 · Hughes 369D · N58240
Kahului, HI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 22, 1993
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 serious injuries)
Location
Kahului, HI
Aircraft
Hughes 369D
Tail Number
N58240
Operator
Pacific Helicopter Tours
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX93LA132
THE HELICOPTER WAS HIRED BY THE MAUI POLICE DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT SOME LOW ALTITUDE SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS IN THE MOUNTAINS. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE WAS PROCEEDING AT A SLOW SPEED DOWN A GULCH WHILE THE POLICE OFFICERS ON BOARD CONDUCTED THEIR SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS. THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED A POWERLINE STRUNG ACROSS THE GULCH AND THE TAIL ROTOR SEPARATED FROM THE HELICOPTER. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN AND THE PILOT SAID HE REDUCED THE POWER TO IDLE AND DROPPED THE COLLECTIVE. THE HELICOPTER THEN DESCENDED INTO TREES. THE PILOT NOTED THAT HE SAW THE WIRES ABOUT TWO SECONDS PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH THEM; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THEM DUE TO 'STRONG WINDS AND THE MOMENTUM OF THE HELICOPTER.'
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT FOR OBSTRUCTIONS WHILE PERFORMING A LOW ALTITUDE SURVEILLANCE OPERATION IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA, AND, HIS FAILURE TO SELECT AN ALTITUDE SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE CLEARANCE FROM ALL POTENTIAL OBSTACLES.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS HIRED BY THE MAUI POLICE DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT SOME LOW ALTITUDE SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS IN THE MOUNTAINS. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE WAS PROCEEDING AT A SLOW SPEED DOWN A GULCH WHILE THE POLICE OFFICERS ON BOARD CONDUCTED THEIR SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS. THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED A POWERLINE STRUNG ACROSS THE GULCH AND THE TAIL ROTOR SEPARATED FROM THE HELICOPTER. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN AND THE PILOT SAID HE REDUCED THE POWER TO IDLE AND DROPPED THE COLLECTIVE. THE HELICOPTER THEN DESCENDED INTO TREES. THE PILOT NOTED THAT HE SAW THE WIRES ABOUT TWO SECONDS PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH THEM; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THEM DUE TO 'STRONG WINDS AND THE MOMENTUM OF THE HELICOPTER.'
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 HST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369D
Tail NumberN58240
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPacific Helicopter Tours
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious4
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 16 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:54
Weather SourceWFAC