# NTSB LAX85LA282: Bell 206B-III, N3179X, Lahaina, HI, June 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1985, 08:42 local (18:42 UTC)
- Place: Lahaina, HI
- Coordinates: 20.899347, -156.609909 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.8993&lon=-156.6099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24746
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA282
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24746/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA282

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft service - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AT AN ALTITUDE OF 800 FEET MSL DURING THE CLIMB TO CRUISE PHASE OF A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT WITH 3 PASSENGERS ON BOARD. THE ACFT LANDED IN THE SURF OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN AND DAMAGED THE TAIL ROTOR. THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS RECEIVED NO INJURIES. AN EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM DISCLOSED AN EXESS OF 3 GALLONS OF FRESH WATER IN THE TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3179X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3179X-2009-08-10), registration cancelled 2009-08-10, S/N 3756, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B-III
- Registry model: [Bell 206B-III](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b-iii) (registry code 1181506) (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: 3756
- Airframe hours: 2250
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20J 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Kenai Air Hawaii, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 14, 1985, 0 hours before
- Departed: HKP, KAANAPALI, HI
- Airport: JL, Laama[A;O

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,668 total, 3,010 in this make and model, 6,245 as pilot in command, 129 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850615038129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850615038129A), Jun 15, 1985: Bell 206B3, Lahainai, HI, Substantial damage. Collided with surf on forced landing after engine failed. Water found in fuel system. Water in vent tube in error.

## Other investigations on N3179X (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 ANC95LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA014), Dec 4, 1994: Bell 206B (N3179X), Kenai, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE INFORMATION IN THE FLIGHT MANUAL CONCERNING THE USE OF THE PARTICLE SEPARATOR KIT AND DEFLECTOR KIT WHEN OPERATING IN FALLING SNOW. FACTORS WERE THE ROUGH TERRAIN IN…
- [NTSB LAX86LA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA091), Jan 16, 1986: Bell 206B-3 (N3179X), Waimea, HI, 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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