Aerospatiale AS-350-B N766MP
24 February 1994 · Humuula, Hawaii, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 24 February 1994 at about 02:13 local time, a Aerospatiale AS-350-B registered N766MP, operated by Papillon Hawaiian Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Humuula, Hawaii, United States. 7 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 02:13
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Humuula, Hawaii, United States
- Coordinates
- 20.0396, -155.6997
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale AS-350-B
- Registration
- N766MP
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Papillon Hawaiian Helicopters
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Waikiloa → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- IMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX94LA134
People
2 people were seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
Probable cause
The pilot's poor in-flight decision by failing to attain the best rate of climb speed and exceeding the helicopter's hover performance capability. The clouds and downdraft were factors in this accident.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING HELICOPTER FLIGHT IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED CLOUDS COVERING THE MOUNTAIN PASS AND ELECTED TO PROCEED TOWARD AN ALTERNATE DESTINATION. THE CLOUDS FORCED THE PILOT TO CLIMB THE HELICOPTER TO 10,500 FT MSL. THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO DECREASE, EXECUTED A TURN, AND ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN THE ALTITUDE AND THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER OR ENGINE DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE PERFORMANCE DATA SHOWED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS CAPABLE OF A RATE OF CLIMB OF 700 FT/MIN IF THE PILOT HAD FLOWN THE PROPER BEST RATE OF CLIMB SPEED STRAIGHT AHEAD. AT 10,500 FT MSL, THE HELICOPTER COULD NOT HOVER IN OR OUT OF GROUND EFFECT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Aerospatiale AS-350 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Jan 1994 | Aerospatiale AS-350 | Lakeland, Florida, United States | Bulldog Airlines Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 20 Jul 1994 | Aerospatiale AS-350 | Juneau, Alaska, United States | Temsco Helicopters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 1 Apr 1994 | Aerospatiale AS-350-B2 | Telluride, Colorado, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Jul 1994 | Aerospatiale AS-350 | Caryville, Florida, United States | Usda Forest Service | No injuries | - |
| 31 May 1995 | Aerospatiale AS-350-B2 | Skagway, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 17 Aug 1990 | Aerospatiale AS-350-B | Juneau, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Nov 1994 | Piper PA-28-140 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | David Michael Goff | Fatal | 2 |
| 13 Feb 1994 | Schweizer 2-33-A | Dillingham, Hawaii, United States | Soar Hawaii, Ltd. | No injuries | - |
| 16 Oct 1994 | Beechcraft C-23 | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 Mar 1994 | Hughes 369D | Hi. Nat'l Park, Hawaii, United States | Mauna KEA Helicopters | Minor injuries | - |
| 24 Oct 1994 | Eurocopter AS-350D | Kaupo, Hawaii, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 17 Apr 1994 | Pitts S-2A | Kahuku, Hawaii, United States | Tsunami Aviation Hawaii, Inc | Fatal | 1 |