Bell 206B accident near Waialeale,Kauai, HI
On July 23, 2003, a Bell 206B (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Waialeale,Kauai, HI. 5 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- July 23, 2003
- Place
- Waialeale,Kauai, HI
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 5 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 22.070°N, 159.495°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030806X01273
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 23, 2003, about 0852 Hawaiian standard time, a Bell 206B, N37741, descended into steep downsloping terrain in the inside crater wall of the Waialeale Crater, Kauai, Hawaii. The helicopter was owned and operated by Jack Harter Helicopters, Inc., Lihue, Hawaii. The commercial certificated pilot and the four fare-paying passengers were fatally injured, and the helicopter was destroyed. A company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed and opened with the operator. Visual meteorological flight conditions (VMC) prevailed during the initial portion of the flight. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) existed in the vicinity of the accident site. The on-demand air taxi (commercial air tour) flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 135 and originated from the Lihue Airport (LIH) in Kauai about 0803. The pilot's wife indicated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that the day and evening preceding the accident flight had been normal. Her husband was rested upon departing for work. The operator's general manager reported that the pilot arrived at work approximately 0630, performed a preflight inspection of the accident helicopter, and departed for his first Part 135 charter flight. The flight lasted about 20 minutes, and by 0745 the pilot landed back at LIH. Thereafter, the helicopter was refueled with 39 gallons of fuel. Four fare-paying passengers boarded the helicopter, and they departed in VMC pursuant to company procedures for the planned 60 to 65-minute-long sightseeing tour flight over Kauai. No Federal
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance/altitude while descending over mountainous terrain, and his continued flight into adverse weather. Factors contributing to the accident were clouds and a low ceiling.
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Browse: Hawaii · Bell 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.
