- Date
- December 4, 1992, 07:18 local (17:18 UTC)
- Place
- Kamuela, HI
- Injuries
- 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N9230FHughes 369C
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 14, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19921204049269A
- Case key
- 27881
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 inadequate 100-hour inspection performed by company maintenance personnel. Factors contributing to this accident are the fuel control exceeding the manufacturers' service limits; the inoperative fuel filter; the overtemperature of the gas generator turbine and free turbine wheels; and the false indications of the turbine outlet temperature indicator.
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
While on a sightseeing flight, the helicopter sustained a total loss of power. The pilot executed an autorotation to a nearby road. On touch down the helicopter yawed to the left and skidded off the road buckling the left skid. The engine examination disclosed that the turbine wheels sustained extensive high temperature distress. The fuel control exceeded its service limits on the start and acceleration schedules. The fuel filter valve was found in the bypass position with its spring rusted and the valve seat contained dirt particles. The turbine outlet temperature indicator gave false indications, a lower than applied temperature, throughout its operational parameters which exceeded the servicable tolerances.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N9230F
- Reported as
- Hughes 369C
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 11406645
- Engine
- Allison 250-C20, 400 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 135
- Operator
- Mauna Kea Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner
- Mauna Kea Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · December 1, 1992
- Flight plan
- Company VFR
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 34
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 4,080 total · 1,700 in this make and model · 3,500 as pilot in command · 320 in the last 90 days · 128 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 45 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- BSF, 1 nm away
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.