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April 15, 1987 · Bell 206B · N370AH
Laupahoehoe, HI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 15, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Laupahoehoe, HI
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N370AH
Operator
Hilo Bay Air
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX87LA178
THE PILOT OF THE BELL 206B AND HIS THREE PASSENGERS ARRIVED OVER A BEACHED BARGE THAT THEY WERE TO LAND ON. THE PILOT HOVERED OVER THE BARGE IN A LEFT QUARTERING TAILWIND OF ABOUT 10 KNOTS AND OVER A MODERATE SEA WITH WAVES BREAKING AGAINST THE BARGE. THE TWO REAR SEAT PASSENGERS WERE DEPLANED WITHOUT INCIDENT THROUGH THE RIGHT REAR DOOR AS THE HELICOPTER HOVERED WITH THE RIGHT SKID RESTING ON A STRUCTURE ON THE BARGE. AFTERWARD, ONE OF THE DEPLANED PASSENGERS OBSERVED A WAVE BREAK AGAINST THE BARGE AND WATER SPRAYING UPWARD ONTO THE HELICOPTER. BOTH DEPLANED PASSENGERS OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER ROLL LEFT AND IMPACT THE WATER. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT FLOTATION GEAR WAS AVAILABLE TO THE CREW OR PASSENGERS.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT OF THE BELL 206B AND HIS THREE PASSENGERS ARRIVED OVER A BEACHED BARGE THAT THEY WERE TO LAND ON. THE PILOT HOVERED OVER THE BARGE IN A LEFT QUARTERING TAILWIND OF ABOUT 10 KNOTS AND OVER A MODERATE SEA WITH WAVES BREAKING AGAINST THE BARGE. THE TWO REAR SEAT PASSENGERS WERE DEPLANED WITHOUT INCIDENT THROUGH THE RIGHT REAR DOOR AS THE HELICOPTER HOVERED WITH THE RIGHT SKID RESTING ON A STRUCTURE ON THE BARGE. AFTERWARD, ONE OF THE DEPLANED PASSENGERS OBSERVED A WAVE BREAK AGAINST THE BARGE AND WATER SPRAYING UPWARD ONTO THE HELICOPTER. BOTH DEPLANED PASSENGERS OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER ROLL LEFT AND IMPACT THE WATER. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT FLOTATION GEAR WAS AVAILABLE TO THE CREW OR PASSENGERS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:12 HST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN370AH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHilo Bay Air
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 317
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total4
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:10
Weather SourceWFAC