# NTSB LAX86FJA06: Bell 206B, N244WC, Maui, HI, May 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1986, 09:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Maui, HI
- Coordinates: 20.770307, -155.989852 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.7703&lon=-155.9899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24942
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FJA06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24942/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FJA06

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH POWERLINES WHILE CARRYING PASS'G ON A SIGHTSEEING FLT THROUGH A CANYON. THE WIRES ACROSS THE CANYON WERE EST TO BE 1700 LONG WITH HEIGHT AGL UNKNOWN. THE WIRES WERE UNMARKED AND WERE 1/2 IN DIA ALUMINUM. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WAS FILMING THE SCENERY DURING THE FLT AND THE PLT LATER SAID HE THOUGHT THAT A BATTERY PACK FOR THE CAMERA HAD INTERFERED WITH THE COLLECTIVE CONTROL DURING HIS ATTEMPT TO AVOID THE POWERLINES. THE PASSENGER SAID THAT ALL THE EXTRA PHOTO EQUIPMENT WAS IN A BAG IN THE BACK COMPARTMENT. SOME CAMERA EQUIPMENT WAS FOUND OUTSIDE THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE BATTERY PACK WAS LATER PLACED BY THE COLLECTIVE CONTROL TO TRY TO DUPLICATE THE EVENT. THE ONLY WAY INTERFERANCE COULD HAVE OCCURRED WOULD BE TO HAVE THE PACK ON EDGE & FULL AFT NEAR THE COLLECTIVE CONTROL PIVOT POINT. THE EQUIPMENT FOUND OUTSIDE THE ACFT WAS PLACED INSIDE BY RESCUE PERSONNEL DURING THE RECOVERY OPERATION. THE PLT ALSO REPORTEDLY SAID 'HOW DID THAT HAPPEN' INDICATING HE NEVER SAW THE WIRES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N244WC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N244WC-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N 2777, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2777
- Airframe hours: 2331
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aloha Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 22, 1986, 92 hours before
- Departed: OGG, KAHULUI, HI
- Destination: OGG, KAHULUI, HI
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,000 total, 900 in this make and model, 230 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OGG, 19 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 19860518017789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860518017789A), May 18, 1986: Bell 206B, Hana, HI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft struck wires while on scenic tour. Pilot states that passenger equipment impeded use of flight controls.

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.