# NTSB LAX03LA017: Hughes 369D, N220AL, Kaaawa, Oahu, HI, October 29, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 29, 2002, 09:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Kaaawa, Oahu, HI - Coordinates: 21.517778, -157.902496 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.5178&lon=-157.9025&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55971 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55971/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA017 ## Probable cause Dynamic rollover during an attempted takeoff, due to the combined effects of the soft sloping terrain and the pilot's failure to redistribute the passengers to a more favorable lateral CG condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, takeoff - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - aircraft weight and balance - not corrected, pilot in command (cause) - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The helicopter rolled over during an attempted takeoff from a sloping landing zone on a ridgeline composed of soft soil. The pilot's mission was to transport passengers to the remote landing site on top of a ridge. Upon arrival, the pilot performed a reconnaissance of the area and landed on a part of the ridge that sloped to the right. The pilot reported that the wind was strong and gusty, but was most directly on the nose of the helicopter. The pilot said he maintained full flight rotor rpm and completely lowered the collective pitch, then the helicopter settled right skid downslope. He noted that the ground was soft. One of the passengers, who was seated directly behind the pilot, disembarked, which left two passengers on the right side of the helicopter. Then the pilot applied collective pitch, and the helicopter began to roll right. The pilot decreased the collective and applied left cyclic, but this had no effect. The helicopter rolled over and slid down the steep incline. A search and rescue pilot who landed at the landing zone a short time after the accident reported that the wind speed was about 25 knots, and it was gusting to 30 knots. ## Factual narrative On October 29, 2002, about 0930 Hawaiian standard time, a Hughes 369D, N220AL, rolled over and slid about 150 feet down a mountainside during an attempted takeoff from a ridge about 4 miles southwest of Kaaawa, Oahu, Hawaii. The accident occurred during an on-demand air taxi flight performed by Cherry Helicopters, Inc., based in Kahuku, Oahu, Hawaii, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 135. The helicopter was destroyed. The airline transport certificated pilot and one of the two passengers sustained serious injuries; the second passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Kahuku, about 0900. According to the pilot, he picked up three passengers and transported them to a landing zone at a remote site on top of a ridge. Upon arrival, the pilot performed a reconnaissance of the area and landed on a part of the ridge that sloped to the right. The pilot reported that the wind was strong and gusty, but was most directly on the nose of the helicopter. The pilot said he maintained full flight rotor rpm and completely lowered the collective pitch, then the helicopter settled right skid downslope. He noted that the ground was soft. One of the passengers, who was seated directly behind the pilot, disembarked, which left two passengers on the right side of the helicopter. Then the pilot applied collective pitch, and the helicopter began to roll right. The pilot decreased the collective but this had no effect. The helicopter tipped over and slid down the steep incline. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that the landing zone (pinnacle) was approximately 18 feet wide. The pilot had, according to a passenger, landed on the extreme edge of the pinnacle, on the sloping ground. The FAA inspector further indicated the pilot stated that upon initially landing the helicopter tilted to the right. During the pilot's subsequent attempted takeoff, as the pilot raised the collective he had full left cyclic displacement, but to no avail. The FAA also reported to the Safety Board investigator that when the occupants were rescued, the pilot of a rescue helicopter noted the local wind condition at the ridgeline. The rescue pilot reported that the wind speed was about 25 knots, and it was gusting to 30 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N220AL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N220AL-2013-07-11), registration cancelled 2013-07-11, S/N 1090606D, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 369D - Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (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: 1090606D - Airframe hours: 7972 - Engines: Allison 250-C20 450 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Cherry Helicopters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 28, 2002, 14 hours before - Departed: Kahuku, HI - Destination: Kaaawa, Oahu, HI - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 1, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 7,731 total, 100 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: HHI, 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 20021029033319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021029033319A), Oct 29, 2002: Hughes 369D, Wahiawa, HI, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft was attempting to fly from a high degree of slope (right skid low). Dynamic rollover occurred. Additional strong winds were experienced from… ## Other investigations on N220AL (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 LAX93LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA044), Nov 16, 1992: Hughes 369D (N220AL), Carlsbad, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE OVERRUNNING CLUTCH ASSEMBLY BEARING FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. 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.