# NTSB LAX91LA054: Mcdonnell Douglas 369D, N1113L, Haleakla Nat Pk, HI, December 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1990, 14:00 local (Dec 9, 1990, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Haleakla Nat Pk, HI
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27076
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27076/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA054

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE UNPORTING OF THE FUEL SUPPLY PICK-UP.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO UPRIGHT AN ANIMAL CAGE BY PULLING IT OVER WITH A 'LONG LINE' ATTACHED TO THE HELICOPTER. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115 POUNDS OF FUEL IN THE HELICOPTER'S FUEL TANK. THE POWER PLANT FAILED WHEN THE HELICOPTER'S NOSE RAISED DURING THE TOW. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD COLLAPSING THE LEFT REAR LANDING GEAR STRUT AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES IMPACTED POSTS AROUND THE PERIMETERS OF THE CORRAL OVER WHICH THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING. DUPLICATING THE AIRCRAFT'S PITCH ATTITUDE AND FUEL LOAD, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, REVEALED THAT THE FUEL PICK-UP POINT IS UN-PORTED AT FUEL QUANTITY LEVELS AT OR BELOW 115 POUNDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1113L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1113L-2018-01-09), registration cancelled 2018-01-09, S/N 1100837D (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS 369D
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 110837
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Paciffic Helicopter Tours
- Departed: OGG, KAHULUI, HI
- Destination: OGG

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 14,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 13,900 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 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 19901208053229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901208053229A), Dec 8, 1990: Hughes 369D, Haleakla Natl P, HI, Substantial damage. Engine quit while attempting to lift animal cage,made hard autorotation landing,hit post.

## Other investigations on N1113L (3)

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 LAX04LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA116), Dec 18, 2003: Hughes 369D (N1113L), Wahiawa, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to properly secure the external sling load, which allowed the load to shift, and subsequently strike and remove the tail rotor.
- [NTSB LAX93LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA249), Jun 11, 1993: Hughes 369D (N1113L), Kahului, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE GROUND OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE WHILE ENGAGED IN A CATTLE HERDING OPERATION.
- [NTSB LAX88LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA043), Nov 14, 1987: Hughes 369D (N1113L), Honolulu, HI, 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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