# NTSB LAX93LA062: Hughes 369C, N9230F, Kamuela, HI, December 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 4, 1992, 07:18 local (17:18 UTC)
- Place: Kamuela, HI
- Coordinates: 20.039272, -155.699249 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.0393&lon=-155.6992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27881
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27881/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA062

## 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

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - fuel system,fuel control - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,filter - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,filter - contamination (contributing factor)
  - engine instruments,egt/tot gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - turboshaft engine,free(power) turbine - overtemperature (contributing factor)
  - turboshaft engine,gas generator turbine - overtemperature (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 11406645
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 34; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19921204049269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921204049269A), Dec 4, 1992: Hughes 369C, Kamuela, HI, Substantial damage. Lost power. Autorotated. Skid failed landing. Engine overheated due fuel filter in bypass mode. Failed fuel pump.

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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