# NTSB LAX85FA217: Bell 206-L1, N478KA, Kailua/Kona, HI, April 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1985, 09:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Kailua/Kona, HI
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 7 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24496
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24496/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA217

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - performance data - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - insuff standards/requirements,operation/operator, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
  - inadeq certification/approval,operation/operator, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - roll

## Analysis

A REVENUE SIGHT-SEEING HELICOPTER FLIGHT OPERATING UNDER 14 CFR 91 COLLIDED WITH LAVA ROCK WHILE ATTEMPTING A FORCED LANDING ON THE SUMMIT OF MUANA LOA VOLCANO AFTER A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE IN A SHALLOW DOWNWIND TURN AT APRX 200 FT AGL & AN AIRSPEED OF ABOUT 40 MPH, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SETTLE WHILE HE CONTINUED TO ADD POWER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS TOO LOW TO INCREASE AIRSPEED. AFTER HITTING THE LAVA ROCK, THE HELICOPTER SKIDDED 12 FEET, TURNED TO THE RIGHT, & ROLLED OVER TO THE LEFT. BOTH THE FLT CONTROLS & THE ENG FUNCTIONED TO TOUCHDOWN. TESTS DISCLOSED NO DISCREPANCIES IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE HEIGHT-VELOCITY DIAGRAM HAS ONLY BEEN TESTED TO A DENSITY ALT OF 10,000 FT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT A DENSITY ALT OF 15,500 FT. IT DOES NOT APPLY ABOVE A DENSITY ALT OF 5,400 FT AT A GROSS WEIGHT OF 3,600 LBS, THE ESTIMATED WEIGHT OF THE HELICOPTER AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N478KA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N478KA-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 45179, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206-L1
- Registry model: [Bell 206L](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l) (registry code 1181522) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45179
- Airframe hours: 7267
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 500 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Kanai Heliocpter'S Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 16, 1985, 19 hours before
- Departed: NONE, KAILUA/KONA, HI
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 9,021 total, 18 in this make and model, 7,986 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19850420077509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850420077509A), Apr 20, 1985: Bell 206L, Kailua, HI, Destroyed. Aircraft was forced to land in mauna loa crater during a sightseeing tour. Density altitude a factor.

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.