# NTSB DCA89MA058: Beech H18, N34AP, Waipio Valley, HI, June 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1989, 13:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Waipio Valley, HI
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 11 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 12, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15919
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA89MA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15919/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA89MA058

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION TO MANEUVER WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE OVER OR IN A A CANYON AREA.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE TERRAIN CONDITIONS AND SCENIC AIR TOUR'S LACK OF SPECIFIC DIRECTION TO ITS PILOTS CONCERNING SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR SIGHTSEEING FLIGHTS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - condition(s)/step(s) insufficiently defined, company/operator management (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SCENIC AIR TOURS FLT 21 (BEECH H18, N34AP) WAS ON AN AIR TAXI, SIGHTSEEING FLT FROM HILO TO KAHULUI, HI. THE PLT TOOK OFF AT APRX 1300 HST. AFTER TAKEOFF, FLT 21 PROCEEDED NW ALONG THE COASTLINE AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 2000 FT. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED IN A SCENIC CANYON AREA NEAR A WATERFALL IN WAIPIO VALLEY, APRX 50 MI NE OF HILO. IMPACT OCCURRED AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 2800 FT, APRX 600 TO 900 FT BELOW THE RIM. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM OF THE ACFT OR ENGS WAS FOUND. A PASSENGER, WHO WAS ON A PREVIOUS SIGHTSEEING FLT, RPRTD THE PLT HAD MANUEVERED BELOW THE RIM OF A CANYON. COMPANY OFFICIALS RPRTD THAT FLYING BELOW RIMS OF CANYONS WAS AGAINST COMPANY POLICY; HOWEVER, THE OPNS MANUAL DID NOT CONTAIN ANY GUIDANCE OR CAUTIONS ABOUT SUCH OPNS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34AP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34AP-1989-08-19), registration cancelled 1989-08-19, S/N BA746 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H18
- Registry model: [Beech H-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h-18) (registry code 1151012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA-746
- Airframe hours: 19864
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Lani Biard, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 31, 1989, 35 hours before
- Departed: ITO, HILO, HI
- Destination: KAHULUI, HI
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,500 total, 305 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890611015669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890611015669A), Jun 11, 1989: Beech H18, Waipio Valley, HI, Destroyed, 11 fatal. Struck canyon wall 900FT below rim. Was against company policy for sightsee flight at unsafe altitude.

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.

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