Eurocopter AS350D N90Q

Summary

On 29 January 2006 at about 19:07 local time, a Eurocopter AS350D registered N90Q, operated by ALIKA Aviation, Inc., was involved in an accident near Kahului, 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.

Date

29 January 2006 at 19:07

Classification

Accident

Location

Kahului, Hawaii, United States

Nearest airport

Kahului (OGG)

Coordinates

20.8667, -156.3833

Aircraft

Eurocopter AS350D

Registration

N90Q

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

ALIKA Aviation, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kahului → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX06LA098

Nobody was injured.

A total loss of engine power due to the internal effects on the bearings consistent with an operating event of insufficient oil supply. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper flare during the autorotative descent.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During cruise flight the helicopter lost all engine power. The pilot made a hard forced during the autorotative descent onto a road. Post accident disassembly and examination of the engine disclosed that the power loss was due to the number two bearing sustaining significant damage [heavy roller deformation] and heat distress, consistent with an operating event with an insufficient oil supply. The engine had been leased by the operator from another firm. The operator's Director of Maintenance had installed the engine 13 operational hours prior to the accident flight. The record examination revealed, in part, that: (1) The engine’s serial number (S/N) data plate was defaced such that the S/N’s fifth numeric digit appears to have been overstruck onto the data plate, rendering the original, underlying digit illegible; (2) A 2003 logbook entry indicated that the engine was sold in an “as is” condition and was unserviceable, but the entry had a single line drawn through it with the word “void” and signed initials appearing above it; (3) a 2004 logbook entry indicated that long-term preservation was not accomplished, further maintenance was required, and a determination of serviceability was required before the next flight; and (4) the engine received an FAA Form 8130-3, “Airworthiness Approval Tag,” dated December 18, 2005, which certified that the engine was in “a condition for safe operation” and was found to be suitable for “return to service” per 14 CFR 43.9. The pilot stated that he did not observe illumination of any annunciator warning light on the helicopter's cockpit warning annunciator panel (CWP) prior to the power loss event. Illumination of CWP lights provides the pilot with an early indication of an impending problem. The brightness control switch on the CWP was found in the minimum brightness position, rather than in the maximum position recommended for daylight operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.