Aerospatiale AS-350D N35961
14 October 1991 · Hilo, Hawaii, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 14 October 1991 at about 20:25 local time, a Aerospatiale AS-350D registered N35961, operated by Papillon Hawallian HEL., was involved in an accident near Hilo, Hawaii, United States. 7 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 20:25
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Hilo, Hawaii, United States
- Coordinates
- 19.6891, -155.0798
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale AS-350D
- Registration
- N35961
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Papillon Hawallian HEL.
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Waikoloa → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX92LA014
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Probable cause
1) A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE INGESTION OF GASSES FROM THE ACTIVE VOLCANO VENT, AND 2) THE PILOTS INFLIGHT DECISION TO HOVER DOWNWIND IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE VENT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING NEAR THE EDGE OF THE VOLCANICALLY ACTIVE CRATER AT 15 TO 20 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. THE HELICOPTER WAS HOVERING DOWNWIND OF THE VENT. SEVERAL LOUD POPPING SOUNDS WERE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE PILOT SENSED A LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT AUTO ROTATED TO A DOWN SLOPE HARD LANDING AND THE MAIN ROTOR CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM. AFTER RECOVERY FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE, THE ENGINE WAS EXAMINED WHILE STILL IN PLACE IN THE HELICOPTER. FUEL SAMPLES WERE REMOVED FROM THE TANK AND SUMP, AND FOUND TO BE CLEAR. ALL PC AIR LINES WERE PRESSURE CHECKED, WITH A SMALL LEAK DETECTED ON THE INLET SIDE OF THE PC FILTER. THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AND TEST RUN IN THE AIRFRAME UP TO 72% N1, WITH NO ADVERSE FINDINGS. THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED FROM THE HELICOPTER AND SHIPPED TO THE LYCOMING FACTORY WHERE IT WAS INSTALLED IN A TEST CELL. THE ENGINE WAS RUN FOR 50 MINUTES, TO INCLUDE AN ACCELERATION TEST. THE ENGINE DEVELOPED AND SUSTAINED FULL POWER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AEROSPATIALLE AS-350D AIRFRAME APPLICATION. NO MALFUNCTIONS OR DEFECTS WERE NOTED.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Aerospatiale AS-350D accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Jul 1990 | Aerospatiale AS-350D | Berwick, Louisiana, United States | Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 5 Mar 1992 | Aerospatiale AS-350D | Ft. Grant, Arizona, United States | Southwest Helicopters | Fatal | 2 |
| 22 Feb 1989 | Aerospatiale AS-350D | Spring Valley, New York, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 28 Sep 1989 | Aerospatiale AS 350D | Chamblee, Georgia, United States | Dooley Helicopters, Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 28 Aug 1989 | Aerospatiale AS-350D | Blanchard, Idaho, United States | - | Fatal | 4 |
| 20 Jan 1994 | Aerospatiale AS-350D | Lebec, California, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Jul 1991 | Aerospatiale AS350B | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | Papillon Airways, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 18 Aug 1991 | Cessna 172G | Hilo, Hawaii, United States | Kainoa Aviation, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 6 Jan 1991 | Champion 7ECA | Hilo, Hawaii, United States | James N. Burdeaux | Serious injuries | - |
| 19 Jan 1991 | Piper PA-28-181 | Mokuleia, Hawaii, United States | Cosmo Flying School Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 12 Sep 1991 | Schweizer 269C | Kahului, Hawaii, United States | Pacific Aviation Group, Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 14 Sep 1991 | Bell 47G2 | Keaau, Hawaii, United States | Koinoa Aviation | Minor injuries | - |