# NTSB LAX90LA189: McDonnell Douglas 369E, N1602N, Hilo, HI, May 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1990, 11:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Hilo, HI
- Coordinates: 19.689758, -155.080368 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.6898&lon=-155.0804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26815
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26815/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA189

## Probable cause

IMPROPER SUPERVISION AND ABSENCE OF ASSISTANCE BY THE COMPANY TO PASSENGERS DISEMBARKING THE HELICOPTER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing
  - supervision - improper, company/operator management (cause)
  - proper assistance - not used, company/operator management (cause)

## Analysis

THE PASSENGERS BEGAN DISEMBARKING THE HELICOPTER UPON RETURNING FROM A SIGHT SEEING FLIGHT. A PASSENGER EXITING THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR USED THE HAND ASSIST STRAP. HER REACH DID NOT ENABLE HER TO HOLD ON TO THE ASSIST STRAP AND REACH THE LANDING SKID WITH HER FOOT. SHE RELEASED THE HAND STRAP AS HER FOOT TOUCHED THE LANDING GEAR SKID AND SHE SLIPPED FRACTURING HER ANKLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1602N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas 369E
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0230
- Engines: Allison 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Aviation, Io
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: ITO
- Destination: 0
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: ITO, Hilo Intl.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,700 total, 75 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19900518017099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900518017099A), May 18, 1990: Hughes 369E, Hilo, HI. Passenger injured on disembarking. Slipped broke ankle.

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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