N4943T

On June 6, 1994, at 1650 Hawaii standard time, a Hughes 369D helicopter, N4943T, landed hard from an autorotation following loss of the tail rotor near Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii. The aircraft, owned and operated by Cherry Helicopters, Inc., of Kahuku, Hawaii, was engaged in external load operations under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 133 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at the Honolulu International Airport on the day of the accident at 1555.

In his written and oral statements, the pilot said the helicopter was lifting construction supplies to a power line tower in a mountainous area above the staging area. On the accident flight segment, the helicopter had delivered a load of dry cement in a cargo net and was returning with the empty paper bags in the cargo net. As the helicopter established a 20-foot hover at the staging area, the net flew upward into the tail rotor. The tail rotor assembly and gear box separated from the tail boom and the helicopter began to spin. The pilot lowered the collective to initiate an autorotation and the helicopter landed hard.