McDonnell Douglas 369D N1113L

Summary

On 9 December 1990 at about 00:00 local time, a McDonnell Douglas 369D registered N1113L, operated by Paciffic Helicopter Tours, was involved in an accident near Haleakla Nat Pk, Hawaii, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 December 1990 at 00:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Haleakla Nat Pk, Hawaii, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas 369D

Registration

N1113L

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Paciffic Helicopter Tours

Operating rule

Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kahului → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX91LA054

1 person died.

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE UNPORTING OF THE FUEL SUPPLY PICK-UP.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO UPRIGHT AN ANIMAL CAGE BY PULLING IT OVER WITH A 'LONG LINE' ATTACHED TO THE HELICOPTER. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115 POUNDS OF FUEL IN THE HELICOPTER'S FUEL TANK. THE POWER PLANT FAILED WHEN THE HELICOPTER'S NOSE RAISED DURING THE TOW. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD COLLAPSING THE LEFT REAR LANDING GEAR STRUT AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES IMPACTED POSTS AROUND THE PERIMETERS OF THE CORRAL OVER WHICH THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING. DUPLICATING THE AIRCRAFT'S PITCH ATTITUDE AND FUEL LOAD, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, REVEALED THAT THE FUEL PICK-UP POINT IS UN-PORTED AT FUEL QUANTITY LEVELS AT OR BELOW 115 POUNDS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.