Eurocopter EC 130 B4 N130WS

Summary

On 8 December 2022 at about 02:42 local time, a Eurocopter EC 130 B4 registered N130WS, operated by Sunshine Helicopters, Inc, was involved in an accident near Waimea, Hawaii, United States. 7 people were on board and one 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

8 December 2022 at 02:42

Classification

Accident

Location

Waimea, Hawaii, United States

Nearest airport

Hapuna Heliport (Private) (N/A)

Coordinates

20.0060, -155.7960

Aircraft

Eurocopter EC 130 B4

Registration

N130WS

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2003

Engines

1

Operator

Sunshine Helicopters, Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kamuela → Kamuela

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR23LA061

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's loss of helicopter control on approach to land due to entering a vortex ring state condition, which resulted in a hard landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot in the helicopter reported that, he turned final approach at about 100 ft above ground level and the helicopter started settling with power [entered vortex ring state]. The pilot attempted to stop the descent by applying collective and forward cyclic, but the helicopter subsequently landed hard and sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.