# NTSB LAX90LA162: Hughes 369C, N9219F, Kahului, HI, May 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1990, 15:00 local (May 4, 1990, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Kahului, HI
- Coordinates: 20.869604, -156.449279 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.8696&lon=-156.4493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26792
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26792/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA162

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE ROOM EXISTED TO POSITION THE HELICOPTER ON THE LANDING PLATFORM. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF GROUND PERSONNEL TO ENSURE THAT HAZARDS TO THE LANDING HELICOPTER WERE CLEAR OF THE LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - object - pole
  - distance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - facility indaequate,equipment interference, ground personnel (contributing factor)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor gearbox(90 deg) - separation

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS POSITIONING THE HELICOPTER OVER A WHEELED LANDING PLATFORM AFTER DISEMBARKING PASSENGERS. AS THE PILOT MADE A HOVERING TURN OVER THE PLATFORM, THE TAIL BOOM STRUCK A 6 FOOT LIGHT POLE THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE FRONT OF A TUG VEHICLE. THE TUG HAD BEEN POSITIONED TOO CLOSE TO THE LANDING PLATFORM. THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX AND BLADES SEPARATED FROM THE TAILBOOM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9219F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9219F-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 940638S, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369C
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (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: 6385
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 278 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Alex Air
- Registered owner: Gerardin Corp.
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 066, Kahului

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,700 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900503013369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900503013369A), May 3, 1990: Hughes 369C, Kahului, HI, Substantial damage. Tail boom was severed after striking a light marker pole while hovering to land on a trailer.

## Other investigations on N9219F (2)

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 LAX91LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA198), May 5, 1991: Hughes 369HS (N9219F), Keanae, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE TOTAL FAILURE IN FATIGUE OF THE HELICOPTER'S SPUR ADAPTER GEARSHAFT. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS RELATED TO THE LACK OF A SUITABLE EMERGENCY LANDING SITE.
- [NTSB SEA80FYM17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80FYM17), Feb 21, 1980: Hughes 369HS (N9219F), Siletz, OR, substantial damage

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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