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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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NTSB Report

March 9, 1991 · Bell 206B · N2072C

Honolulu, HI

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 9, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Honolulu, HI
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N2072C
Operator
Kenai Air of Hawaii
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX91LA127

IN WRITTEN AND ORAL STATEMENTS PROVIDED BY THE PILOT AND PASSENGER, THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE WAS STARTED ABOUT 1420 HOURS HST. THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED HONOLULU, HAWAII, FOR A RESEARCH VESSEL LOCATED ABOUT 130 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH. THE PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE THE SHIP AND DECIDED TO RETURN TO HONOLULU. THE PILOT ESTABLISHED RADIO CONTACT WITH HONOLULU TRACON AND REPORTED MINIMUM FUEL STATUS. ABOUT 15 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF HONOLULU, THE ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT SUCCESSFULLY AUTOROTATED TO THE WATER, BUT AFTER TOUCHING DOWN THE RIGHT FORWARD EMERGENCY FLOTATION GEAR DEFLATED, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO SINK.

NTSB Probable Cause

INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATION BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR WAS THE PARTIAL DEFLATION OF THE EMERGENCY FLOTATION EQUIPMENT.

Full Narrative

IN WRITTEN AND ORAL STATEMENTS PROVIDED BY THE PILOT AND PASSENGER, THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE WAS STARTED ABOUT 1420 HOURS HST. THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED HONOLULU, HAWAII, FOR A RESEARCH VESSEL LOCATED ABOUT 130 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH. THE PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE THE SHIP AND DECIDED TO RETURN TO HONOLULU. THE PILOT ESTABLISHED RADIO CONTACT WITH HONOLULU TRACON AND REPORTED MINIMUM FUEL STATUS. ABOUT 15 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF HONOLULU, THE ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT SUCCESSFULLY AUTOROTATED TO THE WATER, BUT AFTER TOUCHING DOWN THE RIGHT FORWARD EMERGENCY FLOTATION GEAR DEFLATED, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO SINK.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:40 HST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN2072C
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorKenai Air of Hawaii
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 25 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data