# NTSB LAX92LA224: Hughes 369D, N1100A, Volcanoes Ntl P, HI, May 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1992, 13:25 local (23:25 UTC)
- Place: Volcanoes Ntl P, HI
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27630
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27630/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA224

## 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

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fluid,oil - lack of (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - turbine assembly,shaft bearing - overtemperature (cause)
  - turbine assembly,shaft bearing - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 310904D
- Airframe hours: 4567
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 35; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920530017229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920530017229A), May 30, 1992: Hughes 369D, Volcanoes Natio, HI, Substantial damage. Chip light lit up. Engine quit on descent to land. Flared to miss tour bus. Hard landing. Engine known to leak oil.

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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