Summary
On September 12, 2013, a Hughes 369D (N519PA) was involved in an accident near Kalalau, HI. The accident resulted in 3 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The entanglement of a tarp in the helicopter's main rotor from a nearby trash bundle.
The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to drop off crew members and pick up secured bundles of trash from a remote landing zone. He had landed at this landing zone several times throughout the day. After an uneventful landing, the helicopter started to shake abruptly. The pilot maintained control of the helicopter until the shaking stopped and he could shut down the engine. A witness reported that a tarp from a nearby trash bundle had flown up into the main rotor blades; subsequently, one of the main rotor blades departed the helicopter and sustained substantial damage. There were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operations.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR13CA406. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N519PA.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The entanglement of a tarp in the helicopter's main rotor from a nearby trash bundle.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to drop off crew members and pick up secured bundles of trash from a remote landing zone. He had landed at this landing zone several times throughout the day. After an uneventful landing, the helicopter started to shake abruptly. The pilot maintained control of the helicopter until the shaking stopped and he could shut down the engine. A witness reported that a tarp from a nearby trash bundle had flown up into the main rotor blades; subsequently, one of the main rotor blades departed the helicopter and sustained substantial damage. There were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operations.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR13CA406