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December 27, 2019 · Airbus AS350B2 · N985SA
Kekaha, HI
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 27, 2019
Injury Outcomes
7 injuries (7 fatalities)
Location
Kekaha, HI
Aircraft
Airbus AS350B2 (1998)
Tail Number
N985SA
Operator
Safari Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC20MA010
On December 26, 2019, about 1657 Hawaii standard time, an Airbus AS350 B2 helicopter, N985SA, was destroyed when it collided into terrain in a remote, wooded area about 11 miles north of Kekaha, Hawaii, on the island of Kauai. The pilot and the six passengers were fatally injured. Safari Aviation Inc. (Safari), doing business as Safari Helicopters, operated the flight as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 on-demand air tour under visual flight rules (VFR).
NTSB Probable Cause
The pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which resulted in the collision into terrain. Contributing to the accident was Safari Aviation Inc.’s lack of safety management processes to identify hazards and mitigate the risks associated with factors that influence pilots to continue VFR flight into IMC. Also contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration’s delayed implementation of a Hawaii aviation weather camera program, its lack of leadership in the development of a cue-based weather training program for Hawaii air tour pilots, and its ineffective monitoring and oversight of Hawaii air tour operators’ weather-related operating practices.
Full Narrative
On December 26, 2019, about 1657 Hawaii standard time, an Airbus AS350 B2 helicopter, N985SA, was destroyed when it collided into terrain in a remote, wooded area about 11 miles north of Kekaha, Hawaii, on the island of Kauai. The pilot and the six passengers were fatally injured. Safari Aviation Inc. (Safari), doing business as Safari Helicopters, operated the flight as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 on-demand air tour under visual flight rules (VFR).
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:57 HST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireUnknown
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown
Aircraft
AircraftAirbus AS350B2
Tail NumberN985SA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSafari Aviation
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary7 injuries (7 fatalities)
Fatal7
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total7
Crew 1Age 69 · Second Class · Fatal
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3400 ft
Altimeter29.89 inHg
Observation Time02:56
Weather SourceWFAC