# NTSB LAX85FA402: Aerospatiale AS350D, N4268V, Kula, HI, September 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1985, 11:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Kula, HI
- Coordinates: 20.719993, -156.339538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.7200&lon=-156.3395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 5 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24534
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA402
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24534/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA402

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE ON A SIGHTSEEING TOUR. THE PLT STATED THAT THE HELICOPTER LOST ALT AS HE ATTEMPTED TO CROSS POWER LINES. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST DURING THE ENSUING DOWN WIND EMERGENCY LANDING. THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE MOUNTAIN AND ROLLED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE ACFT FLT MANUAL INDICATES THAT AT THE ACFT'S GROSSWEIGHT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, THE MAX HOVER IN GROUND EFFECT (HIGE) ALT CAPABILITY IS 7900 FT. THE ELEVATION AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS 9700 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4268V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4268V-1996-05-31), registration cancelled 1996-05-31, S/N 1082 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS350D
- Registry model: [S N I A S AS350D ASTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/s-n-i-a-s-as350d-astar) (registry code 8680803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1082
- Airframe hours: 4268
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101A2 616 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Papillon Helicopters, Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 14, 1984, 95 hours before
- Departed: LAHAINA, HI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,490 total, 586 in this make and model, 5,220 as pilot in command, 253 in the last 90 days, 91 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OGG, 14 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 19850926054499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850926054499A), Sep 26, 1985: Snias AS350D, Kula, HI, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Could not clear powerlines while climbing up slope of crater. Lost lift in attempt to turn around. Impacted ground.

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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