# NTSB LAX92LA159: Bell 206BIII, N3200N, Kaaawa, HI, April 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1992, 15:10 local (Apr 1, 1992, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Kaaawa, HI
- Coordinates: 21.550504, -157.849746 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.5505&lon=-157.8497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27588
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27588/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA159

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE FLAME OUT DUE TO THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT THROUGH AN IRRIGATION SPRINKLER SYSTEM WATER STREAM IN ORDER TO WASH THE HELICOPTER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER CONCLUDING THE DAILY TOUR CONTRACT WITH THE HELICOPTER IT WAS TO BE PARKED AT A HANGAR NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE. ENROUTE TO THE HANGAR THE HELICOPTER WAS INTENTIONALLY FLOWN NEAR A FARM IRRIGATION SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN AN ATTEMPT TO WASH OFF THE ACCUMULATED DIRT. AFTER THE SECOND PASS THROUGH THE WATER STREAM, THE ENGINE OUT WARNING LIGHT AND AUDIO WARNING WAS ACTIVATED AND THE ENGINE QUIT. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD DURING THE SUBSEQUENT AUTO ROTATION TO AN UNIMPROVED DIRT ROAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3200N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206BIII
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3812
- Airframe hours: 2891
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-20J 417 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Hawaii Intl Helicopters
- Registered owner: Pacific Logistics Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 2, 2000, 28 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 801 total, 216 in this make and model, 545 as pilot in command, 243 in the last 90 days, 83 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19920331007829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920331007829A), Mar 31, 1992: Bell 206B, Kaaawa, HI, Substantial damage. During aerial taxi to hangar flew through irrigation spray to wash aircraft. Engine flamed out on second pass.

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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