Eurocopter AS 350 B2 N197BH

Summary

On 14 September 2014 at about 00:00 local time, a Eurocopter AS 350 B2 registered N197BH, operated by Hawaii Helicopters Inc, was involved in an accident near Kahului, Maui, Hawaii, United States. 2 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

14 September 2014 at 00:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Kahului, Maui, Hawaii, United States

Nearest airport

Kahului (OGG)

Coordinates

20.8883, -156.4336

Aircraft

Eurocopter AS 350 B2

Registration

N197BH

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1992

Engines

1

Operator

Hawaii Helicopters Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kahului, Maui → Kahului, Maui

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR14CA375

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the cart while hovering. Contributing to the accident was the failure of ground personnel to remove the cart from the helipad.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, a cart that housed an auxiliary power unit was positioned near the helicopter and used to start its engine. After engine start, ground personnel did not remove the cart from the helipad. The pilot reported that shortly after lift off to a hover, to perform track and balance checks, the tail rotor struck the forward portion of the cart. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and tail rotor. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.