Robinson R44 N445KP

Summary

On 10 November 2018 at about 23:20 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N445KP, operated by Hawaii Pacific Aviation Inc, was involved in an accident near Lihue, Hawaii, United States. 3 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

10 November 2018 at 23:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Lihue, Hawaii, United States

Coordinates

21.9669, -159.5083

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N445KP

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2007

Engines

1

Operator

Hawaii Pacific Aviation Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lihue → Lihue

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA19CA066

Nobody was injured.

The passenger’s improper decision to hold her cell phone outside the helicopter, which resulted in it departing the helicopter and striking the tail rotor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, before the helicopter tour flight, he had briefed the passengers, but they still attempted to take cell phones onboard without cases. He then gave the passengers cases and attached them to their wrists. During the flight, while the helicopter was flying about 100 knots, the right-side passenger held her cell phone and case outside of the cabin into the airflow, which resulted in the cell phone and case without the strap exiting the helicopter and subsequently impacting the tail rotor. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.