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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 30, 1993 · Schweizer 269C · N150CA

Kepuhi Molokai, HI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 30, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Kepuhi Molokai, HI
Aircraft
Schweizer 269C
Tail Number
N150CA
Operator
Matthew G Hardy
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX93LA371

THE HELICOPTER HAD JUST COMPLETED A 1,200-HR MAINTENANCE INSPECTION ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, AND THE PILOT WAS RETURNING TO HIS HELIPORT. WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT THE PILOT NOTICED THE MAIN ROTOR SPEED SLOWLY DECAY. HE INCREASED THE THROTTLE; HOWEVER, THE NEEDLE SPLIT BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND ROTOR SPEED CONTINUED TO WIDEN. HE COULD NO LONGER MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND DITCHED THE HELICOPTER IN THE OCEAN. THE HELICOPTER SANK AND WAS NOT RECOVERED.

NTSB Probable Cause

A LOSS OF MAIN ROTOR RPM FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

Full Narrative

On September 29, 1993, at 1418 hours Hawaii standard time, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, N150CA, ditched in the Pacific Ocean about 4 miles off shore from the island of Molokai, Hawaii. The ditching was precipitated by a pilot reported main rotor problem. The helicopter was operated by the pilot, and was on an inter island cross country business flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the operation, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The helicopter sustained substantial damage and sank. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at the Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu, Hawaii, on the day of the mishap at 1345 hours. According to the pilot's verbal and written reports, the helicopter had just completed a 1,200 hour maintenance inspection and the pilot was returning to his heliport when the accident occurred. The aircraft was in cruise flight when the pilot noticed the main rotor speed slowly decay. The pilot said he increased the throttle; however, the needle split between the engine and rotor speed continued to widen. The pilot reported that when he could no longer maintain altitude he ditched the helicopter in the ocean and was picked up by a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:18 HST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer 269C
Tail NumberN150CA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMatthew G Hardy
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating · 190
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 14 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data