# NTSB LAX88LA203: Bell 206B, N83203, Honolulu, HI, May 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1988, 15:15 local (May 30, 1988, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Honolulu, HI
- Coordinates: 21.350904, -157.879058 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.3509&lon=-157.8791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26016
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26016/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA203

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A SIGHTSEEING FLT, JUST AFTER TAKE OFF, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT, THE PLT TRIED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION BY APPLYING LEFT RUDDER.  THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO SPIN.  THE PLT REDUCED THE THROTTLE AND ADJUSTED THE COLLECTIVE.  THE SPIN STOPPED.  HOWEVER, AT THIS TIME THE HELICOPTER WAS LOW OVER THE WATER. A WAVE CAUGHT THE SKID AND THE HELICOPTER ENTERED THE WATER AND ROLLED TO THE LEFT.  INSPECTION OF THE HELICOPTER DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83203](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83203-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 953, built 1973 (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: 953
- Airframe hours: 5840
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Hawaii Pacific Helicopters
- Registered owner: Royal Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 1988, 80 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,558 total, 238 in this make and model, 2,914 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 11 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Observed at: HNL

## 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 19880529048969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880529048969A), May 29, 1988: Bell 206B, Honolulu, HI, Destroyed. Adverse yaw on climbout at transtional lift. Strong quarter tail wind. Slow speed. Lost tail rotor effectiveness.

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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