# Accident 20240125000379A: Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, Wahiawa, HI, January 25, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 25, 2024, 13:15 local time
- Place: Wahiawa, HI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Rotation
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: K2DA
- Location: 21.5188° N, 157.9363° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.5188&lon=-157.9363&mi=10
- Aircraft: N545PH, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N545PH-2025-11-24) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E (registry code 3027369, https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-helicopter-369e) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C20 series (registry code 03020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER 369E
- Reported engine: ALLISON 250-C20 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 15,900 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC24LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA012) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240125000379A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF FROM A CONFINED REMOTE MOUNTAINSIDE LANDING ZONE. DURING VERTICAL TAKEOFF, THE HELICOPTER DRIFTED FORWARD AND THE RIGHT SKID HOOKED A FENCE THAT WAS IN FRONT OF THE LANDING ZONE. THE HELICOPTER ROTATED FORWARD AND IMPACTED TERRAIN.

## 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 ANC24LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA012), Jan 25, 2024: Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E (N545PH), Waialua, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inability to maintain directional control after a skid got caught on a fence while he was maneuvering the helicopter for takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic roll-over.

## Other reports on N545PH (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20230201000159I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230201000159I), Feb 1, 2023: Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E (N545PH), Honolulu, HI, Minor damage. On 2/1/2023, while conducting aerial survey for invasive plant species with one passenger on board, the PIC encountered a wire strike resulting in damage to 3…

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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