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NTSB Report
March 29, 1987 · Bell 206B · N90153
Kona, HI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 29, 1987
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (1 fatality, 3 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Kona, HI
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N90153
Operator
Kona Helicopters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX87LA161
THE PILOT PICKED UP TWO OF THE PASSENGERS AT A RESORT HOTEL AND THEN FLEW TO KAILUA-KONA AIRPORT (KOA). AFTER HOT REFUELING THE HELICOPTER WITH THE TWO PASSENGERS ON BOARD, TWO MORE PASSENGERS BOARDED THE HELICOPTER AND THEN THE FLIGHT DEPARTED KOA. WHEN THE FLIGHT EXITED WAIMANU VALLEY OVER THE BEACH THE PILOT OBSERVED ANOTHER COMPANY HELICOPTER. AFTER ESTABLISHING RADIO COMM WITH THE OTHER HELICOPTER THE PILOT ALTERED HIS COURSE TO THE WEST BEYOND THE SHORELINE AT 200 FEET AGL. THE WESTERLY COURSE EXTENDED ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE SHORELINE. THE HELICOPTER'S ENGINE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION INTO THE OCEAN. THE HELICOPTER SANK, BUT ALL OF THE OCCUPANTS EXITED. THE PAX WERE NOT WEARING LIFE VESTS AND ONE PAX DROWNED. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT EQUIPED WITH ANY OF THE REQUIRED FLOTATION DEVICES. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT RECOVERED.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT PICKED UP TWO OF THE PASSENGERS AT A RESORT HOTEL AND THEN FLEW TO KAILUA-KONA AIRPORT (KOA). AFTER HOT REFUELING THE HELICOPTER WITH THE TWO PASSENGERS ON BOARD, TWO MORE PASSENGERS BOARDED THE HELICOPTER AND THEN THE FLIGHT DEPARTED KOA. WHEN THE FLIGHT EXITED WAIMANU VALLEY OVER THE BEACH THE PILOT OBSERVED ANOTHER COMPANY HELICOPTER. AFTER ESTABLISHING RADIO COMM WITH THE OTHER HELICOPTER THE PILOT ALTERED HIS COURSE TO THE WEST BEYOND THE SHORELINE AT 200 FEET AGL. THE WESTERLY COURSE EXTENDED ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE SHORELINE. THE HELICOPTER'S ENGINE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION INTO THE OCEAN. THE HELICOPTER SANK, BUT ALL OF THE OCCUPANTS EXITED. THE PAX WERE NOT WEARING LIFE VESTS AND ONE PAX DROWNED. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT EQUIPED WITH ANY OF THE REQUIRED FLOTATION DEVICES. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT RECOVERED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:27 HST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN90153
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorKona Helicopters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 317
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary5 injuries (1 fatality, 3 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal1
Serious3
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind45° @ 15 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO