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NTSB Report
June 11, 1989 · Beech H18 · N34AP
Waipio Valley, HI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 11, 1989
Injury Outcomes
11 injuries (11 fatalities)
Location
Waipio Valley, HI
Aircraft
Beech H18
Tail Number
N34AP
Operator
Scenic Air Tours Hawaii
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DCA89MA058
SCENIC AIR TOURS FLT 21 (BEECH H18, N34AP) WAS ON AN AIR TAXI, SIGHTSEEING FLT FROM HILO TO KAHULUI, HI. THE PLT TOOK OFF AT APRX 1300 HST. AFTER TAKEOFF, FLT 21 PROCEEDED NW ALONG THE COASTLINE AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 2000 FT. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED IN A SCENIC CANYON AREA NEAR A WATERFALL IN WAIPIO VALLEY, APRX 50 MI NE OF HILO. IMPACT OCCURRED AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 2800 FT, APRX 600 TO 900 FT BELOW THE RIM. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM OF THE ACFT OR ENGS WAS FOUND. A PASSENGER, WHO WAS ON A PREVIOUS SIGHTSEEING FLT, RPRTD THE PLT HAD MANUEVERED BELOW THE RIM OF A CANYON. COMPANY OFFICIALS RPRTD THAT FLYING BELOW RIMS OF CANYONS WAS AGAINST COMPANY POLICY; HOWEVER, THE OPNS MANUAL DID NOT CONTAIN ANY GUIDANCE OR CAUTIONS ABOUT SUCH OPNS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION TO MANEUVER WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE OVER OR IN A A CANYON AREA. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE TERRAIN CONDITIONS AND SCENIC AIR TOUR'S LACK OF SPECIFIC DIRECTION TO ITS PILOTS CONCERNING SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR SIGHTSEEING FLIGHTS.
Full Narrative
SCENIC AIR TOURS FLT 21 (BEECH H18, N34AP) WAS ON AN AIR TAXI, SIGHTSEEING FLT FROM HILO TO KAHULUI, HI. THE PLT TOOK OFF AT APRX 1300 HST. AFTER TAKEOFF, FLT 21 PROCEEDED NW ALONG THE COASTLINE AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 2000 FT. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED IN A SCENIC CANYON AREA NEAR A WATERFALL IN WAIPIO VALLEY, APRX 50 MI NE OF HILO. IMPACT OCCURRED AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 2800 FT, APRX 600 TO 900 FT BELOW THE RIM. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM OF THE ACFT OR ENGS WAS FOUND. A PASSENGER, WHO WAS ON A PREVIOUS SIGHTSEEING FLT, RPRTD THE PLT HAD MANUEVERED BELOW THE RIM OF A CANYON. COMPANY OFFICIALS RPRTD THAT FLYING BELOW RIMS OF CANYONS WAS AGAINST COMPANY POLICY; HOWEVER, THE OPNS MANUAL DID NOT CONTAIN ANY GUIDANCE OR CAUTIONS ABOUT SUCH OPNS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 HST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftBeech H18
Tail NumberN34AP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorScenic Air Tours Hawaii
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985-AN-14B · Reciprocating · 450
Seats11
People & Injuries
Injury Summary11 injuries (11 fatalities)
Fatal11
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total11
Crew 1Age 28 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT