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October 23, 2018 · Robinson R44 Undesignat · N4132H

Kaneohe, HI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 23, 2018
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Location
Kaneohe, HI
Aircraft
Robinson R44 Undesignat (2015)
Tail Number
N4132H
Operator
Novictor Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR19LA013

The pilot of the helicopter briefly lost consciousness during the air tour flight and began preparing for a precautionary landing. Shortly thereafter, he lost consciousness again and was awakened by first responders following the accident. The pilot and both passengers sustained serious injuries, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Following a mitral valve replacement about 6 years before the accident, the pilot had been required to provide periodic cardiovascular evaluations to the Federal Aviation Administration to maintain his medical certification, and his cardiologist reported that his valve was in good condition and had placed no restrictions on his activities. During the hospital stay following the accident, the pilot experienced complete heart block, which required the placement of a permanent pacemaker. Therefore, it is likely that, during the flight, the pilot experienced a sudden incapacitation from an undiagnosed heart condition. Based on the medical findings, the pilot’s sudden incapacitation from complete heart block would not have been predicted.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s sudden incapacitation from an undiagnosed heart condition during flight, which resulted in a hard landing.

Full Narrative

On October 22, 2018, about 1710 Hawaiian standard time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N4132H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Kaneohe, Hawaii. The pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 air tour flight. The pilot reported that, about 20 minutes into the flight, he felt himself lose consciousness; moments later, he regained consciousness and control of the helicopter. The pilot turned inland and prepared for a precautionary landing. Seconds later, he lost consciousness again, and was awakened by first responders following the accident. The pilot did not recall the descent or impact, and he remembered that, “before everything went black,” he was in a “dream-like state” during which he was piloting a helicopter and knew he was in an emergency situation, but the nature of the emergency was not clear. The passengers stated in an interview, that they remember the pilot slumping over during the flight, and the front seat passenger grabbing the controls to slow the descent before impacting the sandbar. The helicopter landed on a sandbar in about 2 ft of water and came to rest on its left side. The main rotor mast was bent forward, both skids exhibited impact damage, and the tailboom was bent to one side. The wreckage was relocated the next day to a secured location for examination. The pilot began working for the operator in May 2018 and had not reported any medical problems during that time. The pilot possessed a current second-class Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman medical certificate with no restrictions. FAA medical records indicated that, in 2012, during an aviation medical examination, an asymptomatic heart murmur was detected. In the same year, the pilot reported having a history of mitral valve replacement surgery. In 2013, the pilot received a special issuance medical certificate that required providing periodic cardiovascular evaluations to the FAA. His cardiologist reported that his valve was in good condition and had placed no restrictions on the pilot’s activities. During the hospital stay following the accident, the pilot had episodes of complete heart block, which required placement of a permanent pacemaker.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:10 HST
Nearest AirportKaneohe Bay Marine Corps Air S (2nm WNW)
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R44 Undesignat
Tail NumberN4132H
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNovictor Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-F1B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class · Serious
Crew 2Serious
Crew 3Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time03:57
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data