# NTSB LAX93LA371: Schweizer 269C, N150CA, Kepuhi Molokai, HI, September 30, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1993, 14:18 local (Sep 30, 1993, 00:18 UTC)
- Place: Kepuhi Molokai, HI
- Coordinates: 21.079032, -157.010513 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.0790&lon=-157.0105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 27, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA371
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA371

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF MAIN ROTOR RPM FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Ditching, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER HAD JUST COMPLETED A 1,200-HR MAINTENANCE INSPECTION ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, AND THE PILOT WAS RETURNING TO HIS HELIPORT. WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT THE PILOT NOTICED THE MAIN ROTOR SPEED SLOWLY DECAY. HE INCREASED THE THROTTLE; HOWEVER, THE NEEDLE SPLIT BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND ROTOR SPEED CONTINUED TO WIDEN. HE COULD NO LONGER MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND DITCHED THE HELICOPTER IN THE OCEAN. THE HELICOPTER SANK AND WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Factual narrative

On September 29, 1993, at 1418 hours Hawaii standard time, a Schweizer 269C helicopter, N150CA, ditched in the Pacific Ocean about 4 miles off shore from the island of Molokai, Hawaii.  The ditching was precipitated by a pilot reported main rotor problem. The helicopter was operated by the pilot, and was on an inter island cross country business flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the operation, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.  The helicopter sustained substantial damage and sank.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight originated at the Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu, Hawaii, on the day of the mishap at 1345 hours.

According to the pilot's verbal and written reports, the helicopter had just completed a 1,200 hour maintenance inspection and the pilot was returning to his heliport when the accident occurred.  The aircraft was in cruise flight when the pilot noticed the main rotor speed slowly decay.  The pilot said he increased the throttle; however, the needle split between the engine and rotor speed continued to widen.  The pilot reported that when he could no longer maintain altitude he ditched the helicopter in the ocean and was picked up by a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N150CA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N150CA-1995-06-15), registration cancelled 1995-06-15, S/N S1555 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C
- Registry model: [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (registry code 8059502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1555
- Airframe hours: 1164
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Matthew G. Hardy
- Registered owner: Cag Leasing Partnership
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 29, 1993, 1 hours before
- Departed: HNL, HONOLULU, HI
- Destination: OGG, KAHULUI, HI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 950 total, 762 in this make and model, 927 as pilot in command, 235 in the last 90 days, 94 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19930929036969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930929036969A), Sep 29, 1993: Hughes 269C, Kepuhi Molokai, HI, Destroyed. Over water, lost rotor RPM and needles split. Ditched and sank. Believed clutch belt slipped. Just out of maintenance

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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