Eurocopter France AS 350 BA N5206J
9 September 2003 · Hilo, Hawaii, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 9 September 2003 at about 22:00 local time, a Eurocopter France AS 350 BA registered N5206J 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 22:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Hilo, Hawaii, United States
- Coordinates
- 19.0000, -155.0000
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter France AS 350 BA
- Registration
- N5206J
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Hapuna Heliport → Hapuna Heliport
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- IMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX03LA297
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Probable cause
the pilot's inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were fog, rough/uneven terrain, and spatial disorientation.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The helicopter collided with the ground while attempting to turn away from deteriorating weather conditions. During a flight through mountainous terrain, mist and low-level clouds were encountered. The pilot turned the helicopter away and initiated a climb; however, he was unable to maintain a climb. The helicopter settled into the terrain. No mechanical malfunctions were reported.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Eurocopter France AS-350 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Nov 2003 | Eurocopter France AS 350 B3 | Yuma, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 13 Jun 2003 | Eurocopter France AS 350 B2 | Riverside, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 9 Dec 2003 | Eurocopter France AS 350 B3 | Guayaramerim, Brazil | Eagle Jets LLC | Fatal | 2 |
| 21 Jun 2002 | Eurocopter France AS-350-B2 | Norfolk, Nebraska, United States | Rocky Mountain Helicopters | Fatal | 3 |
| 26 Jun 2002 | Eurocopter France AS-350-B2 | Denali Park, Alaska, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 27 Feb 2001 | Eurocopter France AS-350-B2 | Powder River, Wyoming, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Nov 2003 | Suminski COZY LONG EZ | Maui, Hawaii, United States | William B. Swears | Serious injuries | - |
| 15 Jun 2003 | McDonnell Douglas 369D | Volcano, Hawaii, United States | - | Fatal | 4 |
| 25 Jan 2003 | Cessna 172N | Kalaupapa, Hawaii, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 23 Jul 2003 | Bell 206B | Waialeale, Kauai, Hawaii, United States | - | Fatal | 5 |
| 18 Dec 2003 | Hughes 369D | Wahiawa, Hawaii, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 22 May 2003 | Bell UH-1H | Kahoolawe, Hawaii, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |