Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Eurocopter EC130 B4, registered to Nevada Helicopter Leasing LLC and operated by Helicopter Consultants of Maui Inc, N11QP: Accident occurred August 19, 2018 in Hilo, Hawaii

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

 http://registry.faa.gov/N11QP

Location: Hilo, HI
Accident Number: WPR18TA239
Date & Time: 08/19/2018, 1320 HST
Registration: N11QP
Aircraft: Eurocopter EC130
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Other Work Use 

On August 19, 2018, about 1320 Hawaii-Aleutian standard time, a Eurocopter EC-130 B4 helicopter, N11QP, experienced an in-flight separation of its left rear sliding door during cruise flight near Hilo, Hawaii. The airline transport pilot was not injured, and the sole passenger sustained minor injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The helicopter was registered to Nevada Helicopter Leasing LLC. and operated by Helicopter Consultants of Maui Inc. as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 maintenance flight. Visual meteorological conditions were reported along the route of flight about the time of the accident and a company flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from Hilo International Airport (ITO), Hilo, Hawaii about 1310.

According to the pilot, he was tasked to perform a maintenance flight for track and balance of the main rotor blades. He had flown a previous flight in the helicopter but ended it early due to mechanical issues with the track and balance equipment.

After the mechanical issues were fixed, the pilot and maintenance personnel departed ITO to complete the track and balance maintenance flight.

After completion of the second flight and while enroute back to ITO, the pilot reported that he heard the left-rear sliding door open. He looked over his left shoulder and saw the left-rear sliding door had departed the helicopter. He turned his head forward then heard a loud noise and felt a "jolt". He added that, the helicopter began to vibrate but remained controllable. The pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing onto a grass field.

The helicopter was secured in the operator's hanger for further examination. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Eurocopter
Registration: N11QP
Model/Series: EC130 B4
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator:  HELICOPTER CONSULTANTS OF MAUI INC.
Operating Certificate(s) Held:   Commercial Air Tour (136); Agricultural Aircraft (137); Rotorcraft External Load (133); On-demand Air Taxi (135)
Operator Does Business As:  Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
Operator Designator Code: HCML 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction:
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  
Altimeter Setting:
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Departure Point: Hilo, HI (ITO)
Destination: Hilo, HI (ITO) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 19.643611, -154.984444 (est)

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