# NTSB LAX93LA249: Hughes 369D, N1113L, Kahului, HI, June 11, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 11, 1993, 11:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Kahului, HI - Coordinates: 20.870721, -156.449645 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.8707&lon=-156.4496&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28402 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA249 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28402/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA249 ## Probable cause THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE GROUND OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE WHILE ENGAGED IN A CATTLE HERDING OPERATION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - rotor system,tail rotor blade - separation - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO HERD SOME CATTLE DOWN A 20 TO 25 DEGREE SLOPE WHEN THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A ROCK AND HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO ROTATE AND THE PILOT ROLLED THE THROTTLE OFF AND 'PLANTED THE HELICOPTER ON THE GROUND.' DURING THE LANDING, THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM CUT THE TAIL BOOM OFF. ## Factual narrative On June 11, 1993, at about 1100 Honolulu standard time, a Hughes 369D helicopter, N1113L, collided with the ground following a tail rotor strike while hearding cattle near Kahului, Hawaii. The aircraft was owned and operated by Pacific Helicopter Tours, Inc., of Kahului, Hawaii. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, however, the certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at the Kahului airport, Maui, Hawaii, on the day of the mishap at about 0800 hours and had made one fuel stop in a field near the hearding operation. In his written statement the pilot said he was attempting to heard some cattle down a 20 to 25 degree slope when the tail rotor struck a rock and he lost directional control. The aircraft began to rotate and the pilot said he rolled the throttle off and "planted the helicopter on the ground." During the landing, the main rotor system cut the tail boom off. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1113L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1113L-2018-01-09), registration cancelled 2018-01-09, S/N 1100837D (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: 1100837D - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pacific Helicopter Tours, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 9, 1993, 5 hours before - Departed: OGG - Destination: OGG ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 14,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 13,900 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 15 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19930611017949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930611017949A), Jun 11, 1993: Hughes 369D, Kahului Maui, HI, Substantial damage. Tail rotor struck a rock while herding cattle on a slope. Main rotors chopped tailboom during hard forced landing. ## Other investigations on N1113L (3) 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 LAX04LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA116), Dec 18, 2003: Hughes 369D (N1113L), Wahiawa, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to properly secure the external sling load, which allowed the load to shift, and subsequently strike and remove the tail rotor. - [NTSB LAX91LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA054), Dec 9, 1990: Mcdonnell Douglas 369D (N1113L), Haleakla Nat Pk, HI, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE UNPORTING OF THE FUEL SUPPLY PICK-UP. - [NTSB LAX88LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA043), Nov 14, 1987: Hughes 369D (N1113L), Honolulu, HI, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.