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NTSB Report
June 23, 1990 · Hughes 369D · N8605F
Hanapepe, HI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 23, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (10 uninjured)
Location
Hanapepe, HI
Aircraft
Hughes 369D
Tail Number
N8605F
Operator
Smoky Mountain Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX90FA230
ONE HELICOPTER, N8605F, WAS CONDUCTING A PART 91 SIGHT-SEEING FLIGHT FOR HIRE WITH FOUR PAYING PASSENGERS. THE OTHER HELICOPTER, N1103N, WAS PLANNING TO PHOTOGRAPH N8605F FOR ADVERTIZING PURPOSES. N1103N HAD TWO PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ASSISTANTS ON BOARD. THE HELICOPTERS WERE FLYING PARALLEL COURSES. N8605F WAS AHEAD AND BELOW N1103N. THE PILOTS INDICATED THERE WAS ABOUT 100 HORIZONTAL AND 50 FEET VERTICAL SEPARATION. THE PILOT OF THE N8605F STATED HE LOST VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE OTHER HELICOPTER. THE PILOT OF N8605F THEN LOOKED FORWARD AND THEN TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT OF PHOTOGRAPHING HELICOPTER WAS ABOUT TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE OTHER PILOT VIA RADIO. THE HELICOPTERS THEN COLLIDED. THE LEFT FRONT SKID OF THE PHOTOGRAPHING HELICOPTER STRUCK THE REAR OF THE OTHER HELICOPTER MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF PILOT OF THE PHOTOGRAPHING HELICOPTER TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE AND AVOID COLLISION.
Full Narrative
ONE HELICOPTER, N8605F, WAS CONDUCTING A PART 91 SIGHT-SEEING FLIGHT FOR HIRE WITH FOUR PAYING PASSENGERS. THE OTHER HELICOPTER, N1103N, WAS PLANNING TO PHOTOGRAPH N8605F FOR ADVERTIZING PURPOSES. N1103N HAD TWO PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ASSISTANTS ON BOARD. THE HELICOPTERS WERE FLYING PARALLEL COURSES. N8605F WAS AHEAD AND BELOW N1103N. THE PILOTS INDICATED THERE WAS ABOUT 100 HORIZONTAL AND 50 FEET VERTICAL SEPARATION. THE PILOT OF THE N8605F STATED HE LOST VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE OTHER HELICOPTER. THE PILOT OF N8605F THEN LOOKED FORWARD AND THEN TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT OF PHOTOGRAPHING HELICOPTER WAS ABOUT TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE OTHER PILOT VIA RADIO. THE HELICOPTERS THEN COLLIDED. THE LEFT FRONT SKID OF THE PHOTOGRAPHING HELICOPTER STRUCK THE REAR OF THE OTHER HELICOPTER MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 HST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369D
Tail NumberN8605F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSmoky Mountain Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420 | Allison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (10 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured10
Total10
Crew 1Age 42 · First Class
Crew 2Age 39 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 15 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:54
Weather SourcePILO