# NTSB ANC24LA012: Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, N545PH, Waialua, HI, January 25, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 25, 2024, 12:47 local (22:47 UTC) - Place: Waialua, HI · Mountain - Coordinates: 21.518778, -157.9363 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.5188&lon=-157.9363&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 193753 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193753/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193753 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA012 ## 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. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=3027369), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=3027369), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=3027369), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while attempting to takeoff from a landing zone (LZ) that was overgrown with tall vegetation, the right front skid got caught in a fence, which resulted in a dynamic roll over. The helicopter rolled to the right and forward down the ridge and came to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom and main rotor transmission. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N545PH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N545PH-2025-11-24), registration cancelled 2025-11-24, S/N 0536E, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER 369E - Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-helicopter-369e) (registry code 3027369) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0536E - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 11358.7 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 135 - Operator: K & S Helicopters Inc, doing business as Paradise Helicopters - Registered owner: K & S Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 10, 2023, 15 hours before - Departed: PVT, Kahuku, HI - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 14, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 15,900 total, 10,600 in this make and model, 15,800 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.91 inHg - Observed at: PHHI, 5 nm away - METAR: PHHI 252255Z AUTO 22006KT 10SM CLR 25/17 A2991 RMK AO2 SLP119 T02520166 $ ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20240125000379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240125000379A), Jan 25, 2024: Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, Wahiawa, HI, Substantial damage. 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… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193753. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16759263&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA012%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 290 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16759602&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA012%20Investigative%20photographs-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.