- Date
- June 22, 1999, 19:45 local (Jun 23, 1999, 05:45 UTC)
- Place
- Kaunakakai, HI
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N595HEnstrom F28C
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Status
- Completed · report August 14, 2001
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19990622007519A
- Case key
- 46636
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot encountered a dust devil during the takeoff transition from a dirt and grass area resulting in a loss of vision, disorientation, and subsequent collision with trees.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported the helicopter was running well with no mechanical difficulties. During an after dusk departure from a ranch, he encountered a dust devil. Dust and grass blew into the cockpit blinding the pilot. While attempting to land, the helicopter collided with trees.
Factual narrative
On June 22, 1999, about 1945 hours Hawaiian standard time, an Enstrom F28C, N595H, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during departure from a ranch at Kaunakakai, on the island of Molokai, Hawaii. The commercial pilot/ owner and passenger both sustained minor injuries. They were departing on a local personal flight and operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
The pilot stated the helicopter was running well and there was no mechanical failure. He estimated winds were variable from 040 to 080 degrees, and gusting from 25 to 35 knots. He entered hovering flight prior to departure and determined all systems were working, but noted it was after dusk. He stated that during the transition for departure he encountered a dust devil; blowing dust and debris filled the cockpit. Dirt got in his eyes, obscuring his vision as his eyes watered, and the helicopter collided with the trees as he tried to put it down.
The pilot declined to complete a pilot/operator report. Federal Aviation Administration records indicated the pilot's total time was 2,500 hours.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N595H
- Reported as
- Enstrom F28C
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 372
- Airframe hours
- 3,650
- Engine
- Lycoming HIO-360-E1AD, 205 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Randall N. Spear
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · December 24, 1998
- Destination
- HNL · Honolulu, HI
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 40
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 2,500 total · 7 in the last 90 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Wind
- 70° at 10 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- HMK, 6 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.
Other investigations on N595H · 4
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.