# NTSB LAX91LA391: Schweizer 269C, N6128Q, Kahului, HI, September 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1991, 16:24 local (Sep 12, 1991, 02:24 UTC)
- Place: Kahului, HI
- Coordinates: 20.869129, -156.449111 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.8691&lon=-156.4491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27357
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA391
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27357/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA391

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT ENTRY INTO AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PERFORM AN AUTOROTATION. THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - touchdown - abrupt, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT, WHO HAD LOGGED A TOTAL OF 36 FLYING HOURS IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL HELICOPTER DURING THE PAST 5 MONTHS, TOOK OFF FOR A PRACTICE FLIGHT APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT A GROUND WITNESS OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER MANEUVERING FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND HEARD A POPPING OR SPUTTERING NOISE EMANATING FROM THE HELICOPTER PRIOR TO THE COLLISION WITH THE GROUND. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE HIGH, TAIL LOW ATTITUDE. THE FRONT SECTION OF THE SKIDS WAS NOT DAMAGED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6128Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6128Q-1994-12-05), registration cancelled 1994-12-05, S/N S1508 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer 269C
- Registry model: [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (registry code 8059502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: S1508
- Airframe hours: 600
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-DIA 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Pacific Aviation Group, Inc., doing business as Maui Flight Training Center
- Registered owner: Pacific Aviation Group, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 10, 1991
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 36 total, 36 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## 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 19910911039369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910911039369A), Sep 11, 1991: Hughes 269C, Kahulue, HI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Impacted tail low and burned. Engine at idle and low rotor RPM. Indicates a practice autorotation prior to crash.

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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