N445KP

On November 10, 2018, a Robinson R44 (N445KP) was involved in an incident near Lihue, HI. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: 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.

The pilot reported that, before the helicopter tour flight, passengers had been briefed, but still attempted to take cell phones onboard without "a case". He then supplied the cases and attached them to the passengers wrist. During the flight, while at approximately 100 knots, the right side passenger extended her cell phone, in the case, outside of the cabin into the airflow. The cell phone and case, minus the strap, departed the helicopter and impacted 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.

This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA066. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N445KP.