20011009031389A

(-23) After landing and dropping off three passengers on the island of Kahoolawe, the pilot received an all clear thumbs up signal from the two passengers to the left of the helicopter. The pilot then rose to a hover to reposition for refueling. The third passenger who had exited to the right rear, was attemtping to return to the helicopter to retrieve personal articles left aboard when the helicopter rose to a hover. The returning passenger fell from the skid of the helicopter when it rose to a hover breaking both wrists. (.19) on October 9, 2001, at 1700 hawaiian standard time, a Hughes 369D helicopter, N622WA, was involved in a passenger injury accident during takeoff from an industrial landing zone on Kahoolawe island, Hawaii. The commercial pilot was not injured and the sole passenger was seriously injured. The helicopter was not damaged. The helicopter was being operated under 14 CFR part 135 by windward aviation, inc. visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local area flight, which was shuttling workers between sites on the island. According to the operator, the hel icopter landed and deplaned three passengers with the engine operating and rotors turning. One of the passengers then gave the pilot a "thumbs up" to signify they were clear of the helicopter and he could take off. However, another of the passengers realized he had left an item of property aboard the helicopter and attempted to retrieve it. Unbeknownst to the pilot, the passenger was reaching into the helicopter as the pilot lifted off for departure and the passenger fell to the ground.