KAILUA-KONA — An engine out light and alarm preceded a helicopter’s hard-landing Feb. 21 near Kukuihaele, according to federal investigators.
The National Transportation Safety Board released on March 27 its preliminary report on the 7 a.m. Feb. 21 crash that “seriously injured” a 39-year-old commercial pilot. The preliminary findings will be followed by a final report with the crash’s probable cause.
The board said the pilot had taken off about 6 a.m. from Hilo International Airport in the McDonnel Douglas, MD 369E helicopter, for a “positioning flight.” Visual conditions in the area prevailed during that time.
While maneuvering to land at an off-airport pick up site, the pilot told investigators that as he started the approach to land while in a descending turn to the right, he observed, out of the corner of his eye, a yellow flash, followed by a red flash.
“The pilot then looked inside the helicopter and saw the engine out light illuminate and heard an alarm activate,” the preliminary report reads. The pilot also reported noticing the exhaust temperature at about 1,668 degrees Fahrenheit, or 909 degrees Celsius, and the engine torque gauge indicated 0 percent.
With the situation, the pilot established an “autorotational descent” and found a suitable landing area about 1 mile southeast of Kukuihaele. He touched down on private land accessible via Waipio on Horseback Ranch, near the 7.5-mile marker of Honokaa-Waipio Road (Highway 240) close to the Waipio lookout.
“During touchdown, the tail rotor assemble and left skid assembly broke away followed by the helicopter rolling to the left,” the report reads, noting the helicopter ultimately came to a rest on its left side with the engine still running. “The pilot shutdown the engine and exited through the front wind screen area with the help of witnesses.”
The pilot was subsequently taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital for care.
The helicopter, registered to K&S Helicopters and operated by Paradise Helicopters, sustained “substantial damage” to its fuselage and tail boom.
Two witnesses reported hearing a bang followed by observing the helicopter descend to the ground, the report said.