Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 N427FH

Summary

On 25 January 1993 at about 19:30 local time, a Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 registered N427FH, operated by Kainoa Aviation, Inc, was involved in an accident near Volcano Natl Pk, Hawaii, United States. 5 people were on board and 4 died, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 January 1993 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Volcano Natl Pk, Hawaii, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Fairchild Hiller FH-1100

Registration

N427FH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Kainoa Aviation, Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hilo → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX93LA104

4 people died.

A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON(S). A FACTOR WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S CHOICE OF A HOVER ALTITUDE/POSITION INADEQUATE TO REACH A SHORELINE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. A FACTOR WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE SEVERITY OF THE PASSENGERS' INJURIES WAS THE OPERATOR'S FAILURE TO PROVIDE PASSENGERS WITH LIFEVESTS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT HAD TAKEN THE 4 PASSENGERS OF A TOUR GROUP ON A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT. WHILE NEAR THE VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, HE ELECTED TO HOVER NEAR THE SHORELINE BETWEEN 100 AND 150 FT ASL. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO RESUME FORWARD FLIGHT, A TOTAL LEFT PEDAL FAILURE OCCURRED. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN AND HE LOST CONTROL. THE PILOT PERFORMED AN AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT AND TOUCHED DOWN IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN. A WAVE SWAMPED THE HELICOPTER AND IT SANK. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH FLOATS, AND NONE OF THE PASSENGERS WERE WEARING A LIFEVEST. THE PILOT WAS THE ONLY SURVIVOR.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.