# NTSB LAX93LA132: Hughes 369D, N58240, Kahului, HI, February 22, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1993, 10:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Kahului, HI
- Coordinates: 20.870168, -156.450408 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.8702&lon=-156.4504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27933
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27933/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA132

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT FOR OBSTRUCTIONS WHILE PERFORMING A LOW ALTITUDE SURVEILLANCE OPERATION IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA, AND, HIS FAILURE TO SELECT AN ALTITUDE SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE CLEARANCE FROM ALL POTENTIAL OBSTACLES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS HIRED BY THE MAUI POLICE DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT SOME LOW ALTITUDE SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS IN THE MOUNTAINS. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE WAS PROCEEDING AT A SLOW SPEED DOWN A GULCH WHILE THE POLICE OFFICERS ON BOARD CONDUCTED THEIR SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS. THE TAIL ROTOR CONTACTED A POWERLINE STRUNG ACROSS THE GULCH AND THE TAIL ROTOR SEPARATED FROM THE HELICOPTER. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN AND THE PILOT SAID HE REDUCED THE POWER TO IDLE AND DROPPED THE COLLECTIVE. THE HELICOPTER THEN DESCENDED INTO TREES. THE PILOT NOTED THAT HE SAW THE WIRES ABOUT TWO SECONDS PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH THEM; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THEM DUE TO 'STRONG WINDS AND THE MOMENTUM OF THE HELICOPTER.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58240](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58240-2012-08-13), registration cancelled 2012-08-13, S/N 890560D (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 890560D
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Pacific Helicopter Tours, Inc.
- Registered owner: Pacific Helicopter Tours, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000
- Destination: OGG

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 7,930 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 16 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OGG, 9 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 19930222003119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930222003119A), Feb 22, 1993: Hughes 369D, Kahului, HI, Substantial damage. Struck powerline while descending into gulch on police surveillance flight. Tail rotor separated. Spun into trees.

## Other investigations on N58240 (2)

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.

- [NTSB LAX91LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA058), Dec 18, 1990: Mcdonnell Douglas 369D (N58240), Keanae, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: FUEL STARVATION CAUSED BY A LOOSE FUEL LINE 'B' NUT, DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE; AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO CORRECTLY JUDGE THE LANDING FLARE DURING THE AUTOROTATION.
- [NTSB FTW80FRD08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FRD08), Oct 11, 1979: Hughes 369D (N58240), Abbeville, LA, substantial damage

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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