# NTSB LAX88LA325: Bell 206L, N278KA, Lihue, HI, September 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1988, 15:10 local (Sep 17, 1988, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Lihue, HI
- Coordinates: 21.969347, -159.350418 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.9693&lon=-159.3504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26107
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA325
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26107/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA325

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - turbine assembly,seal - incorrect (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING, THE AUDIO AND LIGHT FOR LOW RPM SOUNDED AND ILLUMINATED. THE HELICOPTER WAS AUTOROTATED. IT INITIALLY BOUNCED WHEN IT TOUCHED DOWN, THEN LANDED HARD. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED AND PLACED ON A TEST CELL. ALL ENGINE PARAMETERS EXCLUDING THE SEAL VENT PRESSURE, WERE FOUND TO BE WITHIN LIMITS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER CHANGING THE VENT ORIFICE FROM A NO. 2 TO A NO. 4 THE DISCREPANCY WAS CORRECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N278KA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N278KA-2009-08-10), registration cancelled 2009-08-10, S/N 46613, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L
- Registry model: [Bell 206L](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l) (registry code 1181522) (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: 46613
- Airframe hours: 10395
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Kenai Air Of Hawaii Inc
- Registered owner: Kenai Air Of Hawaii Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 5, 1988, 34 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: LIH, Lihue

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 8,021 total, 6,051 in this make and model, 7,727 as pilot in command, 291 in the last 90 days, 91 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °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 19880916044959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880916044959A), Sep 16, 1988: Bell 206L, Lihue, HI, Substantial damage. Audio and low RPM light on approach. Autorotated to a hard landing. Seal vent valve pressure set too high.

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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