Hughes 369 accident near Honolulu, Hawaii, October 27, 2020
On October 27, 2020 at about 9:33 pm local time, a 1978 Hughes 369 (helicopter), registered N58251, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Honolulu, Hawaii. It was an external-load flight under external-load helicopter rules (Part 133). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power due to an obstructed fuel line as a result of the separation of the circlip from the pin used on the fuel start pump. The reason for the circlip separation could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 27, 2020 · about 9:33 pm local time
- Place
- Honolulu, Hawaii · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369 D, built 1978 · all 369s on the register
- Registration
- N58251 · registry record · serial 880317D
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- External-load flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During longline operations, the helicopter lost partial power and the main rotor rpm decreased. The pilot jettisoned the external load and the helicopter impacted trees, resulting in substantial damage. The engine continued to run after impact, and the pilot performed an emergency engine shutdown. Examination revealed that the start fuel pump was damaged. The circlip and pin that held the flapper valve in place in the bypass inlet were missing, and the flapper valve was wedged against the sidewall of the bypass inlet, obstructing about 50% of the discharge port. The pin was located in the fuel line between the start fuel pump and the engine-driven fuel pump; the circlip was not found. No other mechanical malfunctions were found that would have precluded normal operation. The pin found in the fuel line and obstruction from the flapper valve located in the start fuel pump likely induced restricted fuel flow from the engine-driven fuel pump to the engine, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the separation of the circlip from the pin could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during enroute defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel pumps › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 21,237 hours in all; 19,400 in this make and model; 180 in the last 90 days; 54 in the last 30 days; 21,197 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 27, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 20,345.9 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 19, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250-C20B (turboshaft); 14,347 hours total
- Operator: Windward Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: PHDH Waialua HI at 8:35 pm
- Destination: PHOG Kahului HI
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from PHNL, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PHNL 272153Z 31005KT 10SM FEW030 SCT060 BKN080 OVC200 27/21 A2994 RMK AO2 RAB36E53 SLP139 P0000 T02670206
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on January 24, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Roc | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Director of Maintenance Roc | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Examination Notes | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Fuel Pump Pictures | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Maintenance Log | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Md Helicopters Party Rep Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (Rolls-royce) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (Windward Aviation) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Accident Pictures | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.