# NTSB LAX87LA310: Bell 206B, N2777R, Kailua-Kona, HI, August 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1987, 08:38 local (18:38 UTC)
- Place: Kailua-Kona, HI
- Coordinates: 19.630626, -155.989868 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.6306&lon=-155.9899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25668
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA310
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25668/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA310

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AS THE HELICOPTER WAS CLIMBING OVER RISING TERRAIN AT 300' TO 400' AGL, THE PLT NOTED ALTIMETER & AIRSPEED INDCNS OF 8700' & 60 MPH. AFTER CLIMBING AN ADNL 2 MIN TO APRX 10,000' (12,000' DENSITY ALT), HE NOTICED THE ROTOR RPM WAS BLEEDING OFF. HE MADE A 180 DEG RGT TURN & HEADED DOWN SLOPE, BUT THE HELICOPTER 'CRASH LANDED' AT THE 8500' LEVEL. THE PLT RPRTD THE WINDS WERE FROM THE NW AT 5 KTS & THE TEMP WAS 60 DEG F. APRX 26 MI NW AT KAILUA-KONA, THE 1750 WIND WAS FROM 030 DEG AT 7 KTS. ACCORDING TO WT & BALANCE RECORDS, THE ACFT WAS LOADED TO 3171 LBS (28 LBS UNDER MAX WT LMT).CALCULATIONS SHOWED THE HELICOPTER WOULD HAVE HAD TO CLIMB AT A RATE OF 616'/MIN TO MAINT A 60 MPH CLIMB OVER THE TRRN. ACCORDING TO THE FLT MANUAL, AT 3171 LBS, THE HELICOPTER'S MAX RATE OF CLIMB AT 10,000' WITH 60 DEG AIR TEMP WOULD HAVE BEEN 450'/MIN. ALSO, THE MANUAL SHOWED THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT ABLE TO HOVER OUT OF GROUND EFFECT AT AN ALT & TEMP OF 10,000' & 60 DEG, WHEN THE GROSS WT WAS AT OR ABOVE 2800 LBS. NO PREIMPACT MECH PROBLEMS WERE FND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2777R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2777R-2008-12-08), registration cancelled 2008-12-08, S/N 2813, 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-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2813
- Airframe hours: 2633
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Kenai Air Of Hawaii
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 21, 1987, 4 hours before
- Departed: KOA, KAILUA-KONA, HI
- Destination: KOA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,278 total, 1,910 in this make and model, 4,636 as pilot in command, 224 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KOA, 26 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 19870823082899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870823082899A), Aug 23, 1987: Bell 206B, Mauna Loa, HI, Substantial damage. Lost control climbing volcanic mountain slope. Helicopter weeded 650 frpm climb but onlyh able for 450 fpm at site.

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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