# Accident 20030626018849A: Hughes 369D, Kaunakakai, HI, June 26, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 26, 2003, 13:15 local time
- Place: Kaunakakai, HI
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: WVXA
- Location: 21.1167° N, 157.1000° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.1167&lon=-157.1000&mi=10
- Aircraft: N633WA, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N633WA-2004-05-14) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D (registry code 4470706, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Reported engine: ALLSN 250C20B
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 11,569 total, 8,500 in this make and model, 236 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX03LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA212) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030626018849A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON APPROACH TO DIP FOR WATER DURING A FIRE-SUPPRESSION FLIGHT, AT APPROXIMATELY 150' AGL AND 40 KNOTS AIRSPEED, A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD. THE PILOT LOOKED OUTSIDE TO THE REAR LEFT AND SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND BEGAN AN AUTOROTATION. WITH LITTLE AIRSPEED AND AT ABOUT 50' AGL, HE BEGAN TO FLARE BUT AT A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT. HE PULLED THE COLLECTIVE AND FELL THROUGH THE LAST 4O FEET TO THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT HIT HARD YET LEVEL. AFTER IMPACT, THE PILOT ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE, PULLED THE ROTOR BRAKE AND EVACUATED THE AIRCRAFT. AT THAT TIME, HE SMELLED FIRE AND HEARD CRACKLING SOUNDS. HE SUSPECTS THE FIRE STARTED BY THE AIRCRAFT'S HOT EXHAUST COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE DRY GRASS AND BRUSH HE LANDED ON. VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT FOUND THAT THE LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY AND THE SEAT PAN COLLAPSED. THE AIRCRAFT BURNED AFT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE PLEXIGLASS MELTED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX03LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA212), Jun 26, 2003: Hughes 369D (N633WA), Kualapuu, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: the total loss of engine power resulting from a fatigue failure of the 3rd stage turbine wheel airfoils. The reason for the airfoil's fatigue failure could not be determined.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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