# NTSB LAX90FA230: Hughes 369D, N8605F, Hanapepe, HI, June 23, 1990 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: June 23, 1990, 13:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Hanapepe, HI - Coordinates: 21.909374, -159.590942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.9094&lon=-159.5909&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 10 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 26637 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26637/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA230 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) FAILURE OF PILOT OF THE PHOTOGRAPHING HELICOPTER TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE AND AVOID COLLISION. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) FAILURE OF PILOT OF THE PHOTOGRAPHING HELICOPTER TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE AND AVOID COLLISION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, maneuvering - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - radio communications - delayed, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Midair collision, maneuvering - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - radio communications - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) ONE HELICOPTER, N8605F, WAS CONDUCTING A PART 91 SIGHT-SEEING FLIGHT FOR HIRE WITH FOUR PAYING PASSENGERS. THE OTHER HELICOPTER, N1103N, WAS PLANNING TO PHOTOGRAPH N8605F FOR ADVERTIZING PURPOSES. N1103N HAD TWO PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ASSISTANTS ON BOARD. THE HELICOPTERS WERE FLYING PARALLEL COURSES. N8605F WAS AHEAD AND BELOW N1103N. THE PILOTS INDICATED THERE WAS ABOUT 100 HORIZONTAL AND 50 FEET VERTICAL SEPARATION. THE PILOT OF THE N8605F STATED HE LOST VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE OTHER HELICOPTER. THE PILOT OF N8605F THEN LOOKED FORWARD AND THEN TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT OF PHOTOGRAPHING HELICOPTER WAS ABOUT TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE OTHER PILOT VIA RADIO. THE HELICOPTERS THEN COLLIDED. THE LEFT FRONT SKID OF THE PHOTOGRAPHING HELICOPTER STRUCK THE REAR OF THE OTHER HELICOPTER MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) ONE HELICOPTER, N8605F, WAS CONDUCTING A PART 91 SIGHT-SEEING FLIGHT FOR HIRE WITH FOUR PAYING PASSENGERS. THE OTHER HELICOPTER, N1103N, WAS PLANNING TO PHOTOGRAPH N8605F FOR ADVERTIZING PURPOSES. N1103N HAD TWO PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS WITH ASSISTANTS ON BOARD. THE HELICOPTER WERE FLYING PARALLEL COURSES. N8605F WAS AHEAD AND BELOW N1103N. THE PILOTS INDICATED THERE WAS ABOUT 100 HORIZONTAL AND 50 FEET VERTICAL SEPARATION. THE PILOT OF THE N8605F THEN LOOKED FORWARD AND THEN TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT OF PHOTOGRAPHING HELICOPTER WAS ABOUT TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE OTHER PILOT VIA RADIO. THE HELICOPTERS THEN COLLIDED. THE LEFT FRONT SKID OF THE PHOTOGRAPHING HELICOPTER STRUCK THE REAR OF THE OTHER HELICOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N8605F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8605F-2013-03-07), registration cancelled 2013-03-07, S/N 470119D, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D - Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (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: 490119D - Airframe hours: 2825 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Smoky Mountain Helicopters, doing business as Pacific Aviation International - Registered owner: Smokey Mountain Helicopter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 7, 1990, 63 hours before - Departed: PAK, PORT ALLEN, HI - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N1103N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1103N-1994-06-22), registration cancelled 1994-06-22, S/N 410945D (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D - Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 9450 - Airframe hours: 4087 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Smoky Mountain Helicopter, doing business as Pacific Aviation International - Registered owner: Century Financial Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 21, 1990, 9 hours before - Departed: PAK, PORT ALLEN, HI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N8605F; age 42; military, private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,800 total, 120 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N1103N; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,500 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LIH, 20 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19900623022151A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900623022151A), Jun 23, 1990: Hughes 369D, Hanapepe, HI, Substantial damage. Collided with company N1103N while both in formation to make photos of his aircraft during passenger sight seeing. - [Accident 19900623022152A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900623022152A), Jun 23, 1990: Hughes 369D, Hanapepe, HI, Minor damage. Photo helicopter collided with company sightseeing flight N8605F while in close proximity to take aerial photos. ## Other investigations on N8605F (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC78FHM01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FHM01), Oct 27, 1977: Hughes 369D (N8605F), Monmouth, NJ, destroyed 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.