McDonnell Douglas 369E N545PH

Summary

On 25 January 2024 at about 22:47 local time, a McDonnell Douglas 369E registered N545PH, operated by K & S Helicopters Inc, was involved in an accident near Waialua, 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

25 January 2024 at 22:47

Classification

Accident

Location

Waialua, Hawaii, United States

Coordinates

21.5188, -157.9363

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas 369E

Registration

N545PH

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1997

Engines

1

Operator

K & S Helicopters Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kahuku → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC24LA012

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inability to maintain directional control after a skid got caught on a fence while he was maneuvering the helicopter for takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic roll-over.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while attempting to takeoff from a landing zone (LZ) that was overgrown with tall vegetation, the right front skid got caught in a fence, which resulted in a dynamic roll over. The helicopter rolled to the right and forward down the ridge and came to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom and main rotor transmission. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.