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NTSB Report
December 12, 1988 · Hughes 369E · N7733H
Hanalei, HI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 12, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Hanalei, HI
Aircraft
Hughes 369E
Tail Number
N7733H
Operator
Kauai Helicopter
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89LA063
DURING A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HEARD A MUFFLED BANG AND SIMULTANEOUSLY THE ENGINE OUT WARNING LIGHTS AND AUDIO ALARM ACTIVATED. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING ON THE BEACH WHICH RESULTED IN THE HELICOPTER NOSING OVER. AN ENGINE EXAM REVEALED THAT THE GAS GENERATOR TURBINE HAD FAILED. THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO CONSTANT TURBINE OVERTEMPERATURES. THE EXHAUST TEMPERATURE PROBE SYSTEM WAS TESTED AND SHOWED CONSISTENT READINGS 50 TO 100 DEGREES LOWER THAN THE ACTUAL TEMP. ADDITIONALLY, THE LIGHTOFF FUEL FLOW WAS EXCESSIVE DUE TO THE IMPROPER SETTING OF THE START/ACCELERATOR SCHEDULE ADJUSTER. MAINTENANCE RECORDS DID NOT INDICATE A RECENT EXHAUST TEMP CHECK.
Full Narrative
DURING A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HEARD A MUFFLED BANG AND SIMULTANEOUSLY THE ENGINE OUT WARNING LIGHTS AND AUDIO ALARM ACTIVATED. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING ON THE BEACH WHICH RESULTED IN THE HELICOPTER NOSING OVER. AN ENGINE EXAM REVEALED THAT THE GAS GENERATOR TURBINE HAD FAILED. THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO CONSTANT TURBINE OVERTEMPERATURES. THE EXHAUST TEMPERATURE PROBE SYSTEM WAS TESTED AND SHOWED CONSISTENT READINGS 50 TO 100 DEGREES LOWER THAN THE ACTUAL TEMP. ADDITIONALLY, THE LIGHTOFF FUEL FLOW WAS EXCESSIVE DUE TO THE IMPROPER SETTING OF THE START/ACCELERATOR SCHEDULE ADJUSTER. MAINTENANCE RECORDS DID NOT INDICATE A RECENT EXHAUST TEMP CHECK.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:48 HST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369E
Tail NumberN7733H
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKauai Helicopter
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 375
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO