# NTSB LAX87LA161: Bell 206B, N90153, Kona, HI, March 29, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1987, 13:27 local (23:27 UTC)
- Place: Kona, HI
- Coordinates: 19.630882, -155.990386 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.6309&lon=-155.9904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25551
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25551/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA161

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - turboshaft engine,gas generator - output low (contributing factor)
  - turboshaft engine - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - attempted
- Ditching, descent - emergency
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,lifevest - lack of
  - misc rotorcraft,emergency floatation gear - lack of
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE PILOT PICKED UP TWO OF THE PASSENGERS AT A RESORT HOTEL AND THEN FLEW TO KAILUA-KONA AIRPORT (KOA). AFTER HOT REFUELING THE HELICOPTER WITH THE TWO PASSENGERS ON BOARD, TWO MORE PASSENGERS BOARDED THE HELICOPTER AND THEN THE FLIGHT DEPARTED KOA. WHEN THE FLIGHT EXITED WAIMANU VALLEY OVER THE BEACH THE PILOT OBSERVED ANOTHER COMPANY HELICOPTER. AFTER ESTABLISHING RADIO COMM WITH THE OTHER HELICOPTER THE PILOT ALTERED HIS COURSE TO THE WEST BEYOND THE SHORELINE AT 200 FEET AGL. THE WESTERLY COURSE EXTENDED ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE SHORELINE. THE HELICOPTER'S ENGINE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION INTO THE OCEAN. THE HELICOPTER SANK, BUT ALL OF THE OCCUPANTS EXITED. THE PAX WERE NOT WEARING LIFE VESTS AND ONE PAX DROWNED. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT EQUIPED WITH ANY OF THE REQUIRED FLOTATION DEVICES. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90153](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90153-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 1610, built 1975 (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 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1610
- Airframe hours: 11255
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Kona Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Kona Helicopters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 24, 1989, 2 hours before
- Departed: KOA, KE-AHOLE, HI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,089 total, 4,089 in this make and model, 301 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870329007759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870329007759A), Mar 29, 1987: Bell 206B, Kailua Kona, HI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Deviated over water to avoid other company helicopter. Lost the engine and ditched. Cause power loss undetermined.

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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