# Accident 20240711008479A: Robinson Helicopter R44, Wainiha, HI, July 11, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 11, 2024, 13:05 local time
- Place: Wainiha, HI
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: WZPJ
- Location: 22.1836° N, 159.6460° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=22.1836&lon=-159.6460&mi=10
- Aircraft: N144KW, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N144KW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 (registry code 7640120, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (registry code 41899, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 3
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 7,080 total, 160 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC24FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA063) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240711008479A

## Narrative

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

THE ACCIDENT HELICOPTER DEPARTED ON AN AIR TOUR OUT OF LIHUE (LIH) AT APPX 12:30 HST. THE HELICOPTER WAS OCCUPIED BY 1 PILOT AND 2 PASSENGERS WHO WERE SEATED IN THE BACK. THE HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO THE OCEAN OFF THE NORTHWEST COAST OF KAUAI, APPX 5NM WSW OF WAINIHA, HI. THERE WERE NO SURVIVORS.

## 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 ANC24FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA063), Jul 11, 2024: Robinson Helicopter R44 (N144KW), Kekaha, HI, substantial damage, 3 fatal. Probable cause: An encounter with turbulence due to downdraft winds that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight breakup.

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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