# NTSB LAX89LA246: Hughes 269C, N58344, Kalapana, HI, July 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1989, 14:15 local (Jul 25, 1989, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Kalapana, HI
- Coordinates: 19.689611, -155.080368 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.6896&lon=-155.0804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26451
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26451/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA246

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE EXHAUST VALVE IN THE NO. 2 CYLINDER AND THE DISREGARD OF THE LYCOMING SERVICE BULLETIN BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH VEGETATION AND TREES LOCATED AT THE FORCED LANDING SITE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - disregarded, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION INTO HIGH VEGETATION AND TREES FOLLOWING AN ENGINE FAILURE. POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE NO. 2 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE FAILED. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE LOGBOOK REVEALED LYCOMING SERVICE BULLETIN 388A HAD NOT BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58344](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N58344), registered now, S/N 1090836 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1090836
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Io Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ITO, HILO, HI
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,059 total, 248 in this make and model, 2,442 as pilot in command, 188 in the last 90 days, 78 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19890724025129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890724025129A), Jul 24, 1989: Hughes 269C, Kalapana, HI, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Autorotated into trees. Stuck valve on number 2 cylinder caused power loss.

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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