- Date
- May 30, 1992, 13:25 local (23:25 UTC)
- Place
- Volcanoes Ntl P, HI
- Injuries
- 5 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N1100AHughes 369D
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 8, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19920530017229A
- Case key
- 27630
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The total loss of engine power due to a failure of the number 8 bearing. The bearing failure was caused by a lack of engine oil supply and inadequate maintenance.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
During the sightseeing flight the pilot indicated he observed an engine chip light. He initiated a precautionary landing from his cruise altitude of 1,500 ft MSL. Upon reaching 500 ft AGL, a total loss of engine power occurred, and the pilot initiated an autorotative descent to a road. Seconds prior to touchdown, a tour bus obstructed the approach path and the pilot altered his course. During the subsequent hard landing, the tail boom was severed. Examination of the engine revealed the #8 bearing failed because of a lack of lubrication. Hours prior to the accident flight the operator had observed that the engine was leaking oil. The operator continued to utilize the helicopter in air taxi service without performing any recorded maintenance.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N1100A
- Reported as
- Hughes 369D
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 310904D
- Airframe hours
- 4,567
- Engine
- Allison 250-C20B, 420 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 135
- Operator
- Mauna Kea Helicopters
- Registered owner
- Mauna Kea Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · May 24, 1992 · 28 hours before
- Departed
- MUE · Kamuela, HI
- Destination
- ITO · Hilo, HI
- Flight plan
- Company VFR
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 35
- Certificate
- Airline transport
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine sea, Multi-engine sea, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter, Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 6,000 total · 1,000 in this make and model · 5,000 as pilot in command · 300 in the last 90 days · 100 in the last 30 days · 5 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 45° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 70 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.