# NTSB LAX02LA217: Aerospatiale AS350 BA, N141MK, Honolulu, HI, July 7, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 2002, 12:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Honolulu, HI - Coordinates: 21.391666, -157.833328 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.3917&lon=-157.8333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviaiton Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55153 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55153/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55153 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA217 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain adequate tail rotor clearance from the sloping terrain in unfavorable wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - downhill - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - unfavorable wind ## Analysis The helicopter's tail rotor collided with terrain while the pilot was attempting to land downwind on downsloping terrain. The passengers reported that as the helicopter began the approach to landing, it passed over a 6-foot fence and settled hard onto dirt. The pilot told an FAA inspector that he had landed downhill, because while in the air, he ascertained that would be the best angle to execute a landing in the confined operation zone. The downwind conditions resulted in the tail of the helicopter being lower than normal. During touchdown, the helicopter's tail boom collided with the upslope terrain. The gear box was destroyed and the tail boom was bent 30 degrees. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 2002, about 1200 Hawaiian standard time, an Eurocopter AS350 BA, N141MK, collided with terrain while the pilot was attempting to land near Honolulu, Hawaii. Schuman Aviation, Ltd., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 135. The pilot and three passengers were not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan had been filed. The nonscheduled domestic passenger flight originated from Honolulu about 1140, with a planned destination of a landing site near Wili Wili Nui Ridge, about 7 miles from Honolulu. During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator, passengers reported that the weather was good and the winds were calm. As the helicopter began the approach to landing, it passed over a 6-foot fence and settled hard onto dirt. The tail rotor struck the ground resulting in the loss of a tail rotor blade and damage to the tail boom. The aircraft rotated about 10 to 20 degrees in the dirt and the skids were not damaged. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector recalled visiting the accident site and examining the helicopter after the accident occurred. He stated that the pilot was attempting to land the helicopter to the south, on downsloping terrain. The pilot told him that he had landed downhill, because while in the air, he ascertained that would be the best angle to execute a landing in the confined operation zone. The downwind conditions resulted in the tail boom of the helicopter being lower than normal. While the pilot was attempting to touchdown, the tail boom collided with the terrain. The gear box was destroyed and the tail boom was bent 30 degrees. Despite numerous attempts by the Safety Board, the pilot and operator failed to submit an NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N141MK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N141MK-2018-04-19), registration cancelled 2018-04-19, S/N 2424, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aerospatiale AS350 BA - Registry model: [Eurocopter AS 350 BA](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-ba) (registry code 8680955) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (registry code 60030, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2424 - Engines: Turbomeca Arriel 1 Seri turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Schuman Aviation Company LTD - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: HNL, Honolulu, HI - Airport: Remote Landing Zone ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 14 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: HNL, 7 nm away ## 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 20020707015129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020707015129A), Jul 7, 2002: Snias AS350BA, Honolulu, HI, No damage. (.19) On July 7, 2002, about 1200 hawaiian standard time, a Eurocopter as 350 ba, N141MK, was substantially damaged during a hard landing near Honolulu,… ## Other investigations on N141MK (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 WPR09FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA072), Jan 5, 2009: Eurocopter AS 350 BA (N141MK), Honolulu, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The partial loss of engine power during landing for an undetermined reason. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55153. 31 KB in all. - Record of Conversation: Federal Aviation Administration (item 1, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461160&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%3A%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration-Master.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.