Hughes 369D N519PA

Summary

On 12 September 2013 at about 23:50 local time, a Hughes 369D registered N519PA, operated by Airborne Aviation Inc, was involved in an accident near Kalalau, Hawaii, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 September 2013 at 23:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Kalalau, Hawaii, United States

Coordinates

22.1700, -159.6550

Aircraft

Hughes 369D

Registration

N519PA

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1977

Engines

1

Operator

Airborne Aviation Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lihue Airport → Kalalau

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR13CA406

3 people had minor injuries.

The entanglement of a tarp in the helicopter's main rotor from a nearby trash bundle.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to drop off crew members and pick up secured bundles of trash from a remote landing zone. He had landed at this landing zone several times throughout the day. After an uneventful landing, the helicopter started to shake abruptly. The pilot maintained control of the helicopter until the shaking stopped and he could shut down the engine. A witness reported that a tarp from a nearby trash bundle had flown up into the main rotor blades; subsequently, one of the main rotor blades departed the helicopter and sustained substantial damage. There were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operations. 

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.