# NTSB LAX85LA116: Hughes 369D, N211EH, Makakilo, HI, January 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1985, 14:20 local (Jan 19, 1985, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Makakilo, HI
- Coordinates: 21.309707, -158.009277 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.3097&lon=-158.0093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24638
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24638/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA116

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - engine(s) operating
  - rotor system - fluctuating (cause)
- Roll over, standing - engine(s) operating
  - rotorcraft flight controls - uncontrolled, pilot in command

## Analysis

ON AN AIR TAXI FLT, AFTER LANDING AT A PREARRANGED SITE THE PLT SIGNALED TO HIS 3 PAX TO BOARD THE HELICOPTER. AS THE PAX ATTEMPTED TO BOARD FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ACFT, THE ROTOR BLADES WENT OUT OF TRACK/PHASE. THE ACFT BEGAN UNCONTROLLABLE BOUNCING UP AND DOWN, & THE PAX FLED. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE, COLLIDED WITH A NEARBY FENCE, & ROLLED OVER. ALL 5 BLADES WERE FOUND SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. EXAM OF THE SWASH PLATE, STRAP PACK & MAIN ROTOR ASSEMBLY REVEALED EVIDENCE OF OVERLOAD FAILURES. NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF A ROTOR BLADE TO FENCE STRIKE WAS FOUND INDEPENDENT OF THE EVENT WHICH OCCURRED WHEN THE UNCONTROLLED ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N211EH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N211EH-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 380288D, built 1978 (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 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 380288D
- Airframe hours: 2647
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 425 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Royal Helicopters Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 18, 1984, 75 hours before
- Departed: HONOLULU, HI
- Destination: MAKAKILO, HI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,752 total, 210 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 2 knots, gusting 3
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19850118008019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850118008019A), Jan 18, 1985: Hughes 369D, Makakilo, HI, Substantial damage. Chopper lifted off after vibration began then rolled over into a fence as passengers boarded. Blades separated.

## Other investigations on N211EH (2)

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 LAX84LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA314), May 25, 1984: Hughes 369D (N211EH), Honolulu, HI, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC81FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81FA055), May 25, 1981: Hughes 369D (N211EH), Glennallen, AK, substantial damage

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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