# Accident 20240220000799A: Hughes 369D, Kipahulu, HI, February 20, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 20, 2024, 09:15 local time
- Place: Kipahulu, HI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: WVXA
- Location: 20.6712° N, 156.0587° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.6712&lon=-156.0587&mi=10
- Aircraft: N690WA, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N690WA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D (registry code 4470706, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C20B (registry code 54385, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Reported engine: ROLLS-ROYC 250-C20B
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 3,488 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC24LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA016) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240220000799A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT PICKED UP A PASSENGER FROM UNIMPROVED SITE. WHILE ON THE GROUND WITH THE HELICOPTER RUNNING THE PASSENGER SECURED HIS GEAR INTO THE BACK SEAT OF THE HELICOPTER WITH THE SEATBELT, THEN LOADED HIMSELF INTO THE FRONT OF THE HELICOPTER.

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THERE WAS A BANG AND THE AIRCRAFT YAWED RIGHT WITH INCREASE IN VIBRATIONS. THE PILOT LOWERED POWER AND CONTINUED UNTIL THEY FOUND A SUITABLE LANDING AREA. THEY ENTERED AUTOROTATION AND LANDED WITH HELICOPTER REMAINING UPRIGHT AND NO INJURIES TO PILOT OR PASSENGER.

## 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 ANC24LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA016), Feb 20, 2024: Hughes 369D (N690WA), Hana, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to ensure the passenger’s gear was properly secured before departure.

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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