Hughes 369HS N9219F
5 May 1991 · Keanae, Hawaii, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 5 May 1991 at about 21:29 local time, a Hughes 369HS registered N9219F, operated by Gerardin Corp., was involved in an accident near Keanae, Hawaii, United States. 5 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. 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 21:29
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Keanae, Hawaii, United States
- Coordinates
- 20.8707, -156.4502
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369HS
- Registration
- N9219F
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Gerardin Corp.
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Kahului → Kahului
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX91LA198
People
3 people had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
Probable cause
THE TOTAL FAILURE IN FATIGUE OF THE HELICOPTER'S SPUR ADAPTER GEARSHAFT. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS RELATED TO THE LACK OF A SUITABLE EMERGENCY LANDING SITE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
DURING AN AIR TAXI SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN TOTAL LOSS OF ALL ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER'S ENGINE REVEALED THE FORWARD SPLINES ON THE SPUR ADAPTER GEARSHAFT HAD FAILED IN FATIGUE WHICH RESULTED IN THE SAG BEING DISCONNECTED FORM THE DRIVE SYSTEM. METALLURGICAL EXAM OF THE FAILED SAG REVEALED IT CONFORMED TO ITS MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS. THE COMPRESSOR, AND THE SAG, WERE SUBJECT TO AN OVERHAUL 826.8 OPERATIONAL HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Hughes 369 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 May 1991 | Hughes 369 | Hilo, Hawaii, United States | Mauna KEA Helicopters | Serious injuries | - |
| 7 Apr 1991 | Hughes 369D | Yerington, Nevada, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Apr 1991 | Hughes 369C | Papua, Papua New Guinea | Sardina & Cileu MGT. Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 2 Jun 1991 | Hughes 369D | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | Florida Marine Patrol | No injuries | - |
| 11 Sep 1991 | Hughes 369D | Iliamna, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 11 Oct 1991 | Hughes 369D | Hyder, Alaska, United States | Vancouver Helicopters | Serious injuries | - |
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 | - |