Aerospatiale AS-350-B accident near Humuula, HI
On February 24, 1994, an Aerospatiale AS-350-B (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Humuula, HI. 2 people were seriously injured. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- February 24, 1994
- Place
- Humuula, HI
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale AS-350-B · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 0 fatal, 2 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 20.040°N, 155.700°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X00778
NTSB summary
On February 23, 1994, about 1613 hours Hawaii standard time, an Aerospatiale AS350-B helicopter, N766MP, collided with the terrain at 10,500 feet mean sea level (msl) about 3 miles north of Humuula, Hawaii. The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) sightseeing flight to the Volcanoes National Park, under Title 14 CFR Part 135. The helicopter, operated by Papillon Hawaiian Helicopters, Honolulu, Hawaii, received substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and four passengers were not injured; the remaining two passengers sustained serious injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. The company provided flight following and the pilot filed a company VFR flight plan. The flight originated from Waikoloa about 1500 hours. The pilot reported in the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that after departure the flight went southeast toward the Kilauea Volcano. The route of flight is through a high mountain pass between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The pilot said that low clouds prevented him from proceeding with the planned flight. He began maneuvering around the clouds that were forming in the pass. While maneuvering, the pilot climbed the helicopter through 10,500 feet msl and encountered a downdraft. The pilot attempted to turn away from the mountain toward the east, but without success. He said that the helicopter lacked sufficient power to prevent it from "...hitting the mountain...." The pilot said that after the helicopter came to rest, he shut off the engine. He also said that the he
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.
More accidents in HI
- Beech 65-A90, Jun 22, 2019
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Browse: Hawaii · Aerospatiale aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
