LAX94LA352

A sightseeing tour helicopter with four passengers encountered instrument weather conditions along the route of flight and the pilot landed at 7,500 feet MSL to wait for the weather to clear. During the landing, passengers heard and observed the low rotor RPM annunciator. After the weather cleared, a low battery prevented the engine from starting. A second helicopter (the accident aircraft) with the pilot and a mechanic was dispatched to retrieve the passengers. During lift-off, the passengers again heard and observed the low rotor RPM annunciator. The helicopter's nose pivoted about 45 degrees to the right as the aircraft departed downslope. The helicopter's left landing gear skid struck a small ridge and the aircraft rolled over. Both aircraft and all occupants remained overnight until rescue the following day.

On September 3, 1994, about 1745 hours Hawaii standard time, a Hughes 369E, N279F, crashed during takeoff from an elevation of 7,500 feet mean sea level (msl), about 15 miles west of Volcano, Hawaii. The helicopter was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) sightseeing flight to the Volcanoes National Park, under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The helicopter, registered to and operated by I'O Aviation, Hilo, Hawaii, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. Four passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Company VFR flight following procedures were in effect. The accident flight originated at the Hilo International Airport, Hilo, Hawaii, about 1715 hours. This was a sightseeing flight.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Honolulu Flight Standards District Office, reported that the passengers of the tour flight originally departed from Kona, Hawaii, at 1300 hours for a tour of the Volcanoes National Park area. The tour flight was proceeding to the area when clouds obscured the route. The pilot elected to land in mountainous terrain about 1345 hours on the southern slope of Mauna Loa Mountain and wait for the weather conditions to improve. During the landing, a passenger reported observing the low rotor annunciator light illuminate on the instrument panel and heard the low rotor rpm horn. About 1515 hours, the pilot attempted to restart the helicopter; however, the battery did not have enough power to start the engine. The pilot called for another company helicopter to retrieve the passengers.

The second helicopter (the accident aircraft) departed Hilo and proceeded to the landing zone with a mechanic and, after landing, boarded all of the passengers. During the takeoff in a downslope direction, the pilot reported that he encountered a downdraft. A landing gear skid struck terrain and the helicopter rolled over. A small postcrash fire was extinguished by the pilot. Two passengers reported that the nose of the helicopter pivoted to the right about 45 degrees and the low rotor annunciator light and low rotor warning horn sounded as the aircraft was accelerating downslope. Due to low cloud conditions, the passengers, mechanic, and both pilots remained overnight at the accident site. The passengers were retrieved on September 4, 1994, about 0600 hours by a Hilo Fire Department helicopter.

The pilot holds a commercial pilot certificate with rotorcraft helicopter and instrument helicopter ratings. The pilot holds private pilot privileges with an airplane single-engine rating. The most recent first-class medical certificate was issued to the pilot on September 3, 1993, and contained no limitations.

The closest official weather observation station is Hilo, Hawaii, which is located 30 nautical miles southwest of the accident site. At 1752 hours, a surface observation was reporting in part: Sky condition and ceiling, 1,500 feet scattered, 2,400 feet scattered, estimated 6,000 feet broken; visibility, 15 miles; temperature, 80 degrees F; dew point, 75 degrees F; wind, 110 degrees at 4 knots; altimeter, 29.92 inHg.