Hughes 369D N1100A

Summary

On 30 May 1992 at about 23:25 local time, a Hughes 369D registered N1100A, operated by Mauna KEA Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Volcanoes Ntl P, Hawaii, United States. 5 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.

Date

30 May 1992 at 23:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Volcanoes Ntl P, Hawaii, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Hughes 369D

Registration

N1100A

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Mauna KEA Helicopters

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kamuela → Hilo

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX92LA224

Nobody was injured.

THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 8 BEARING. THE BEARING FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A LACK OF ENGINE OIL SUPPLY AND INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING THE SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT THE PILOT INDICATED HE OBSERVED AN ENGINE CHIP LIGHT. HE INITIATED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING FROM HIS CRUISE ALTITUDE OF 1,500 FT MSL. UPON REACHING 500 FT AGL, A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED, AND THE PILOT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATIVE DESCENT TO A ROAD. SECONDS PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, A TOUR BUS OBSTRUCTED THE APPROACH PATH AND THE PILOT ALTERED HIS COURSE. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT HARD LANDING, THE TAIL BOOM WAS SEVERED. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE #8 BEARING FAILED BECAUSE OF A LACK OF LUBRICATION. HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT THE OPERATOR HAD OBSERVED THAT THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE OPERATOR CONTINUED TO UTILIZE THE HELICOPTER IN AIR TAXI SERVICE WITHOUT PERFORMING ANY RECORDED MAINTENANCE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.