Eurocopter AS350 B2 accident near Hilo, Hawaii, July 8, 2004
On July 8, 2004 at about 10:30 pm local time, a Eurocopter AS350 B2 (helicopter), registered N196BH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hilo, Hawaii. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person had minor injuries; 6 others were unhurt. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate planning/decision by his VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree. A low ceiling and fog were contributing factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 8, 2004 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Hilo, Hawaii · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 6 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter AS350 B2 · all AS350 B2s on the register
- Registration
- N196BH · registry record · serial 3036
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot encountered instrument meteorological conditions during an air tour flight. The helicopter's main rotor contacted trees as the pilot was attempting to reverse course; the helicopter then hit hard and rolled over during an emergency landing. During the flight, the pilot heard reports of poor weather conditions along his intended flight path. He chose to fly along a different flight path to avoid the weather. He flew above a scattered, thin layer of clouds, and the weather began changing rapidly and clouds formed and closed in on the helicopter. The pilot descended through a hole trying to regain visual conditions underneath the cloud deck. Once below the clouds, the weather continued to worsen as the clouds and fog continued to surround and engulf the helicopter. Now in instrument conditions, the pilot was attempting to reverse course and climb when the main rotor impacted a tree. The helicopter began vibrating severely and an emergency landing was initiated. During the touchdown, the right skid struck a boulder, and the helicopter rolled onto its side. No mechanical malfunctions were reported with the helicopter. A witness reported that just prior to the accident, weather conditions were sunny and clear, then the fog rapidly came in and surface visibility decreased to 4 feet. She further stated that the rapidly changing weather is common to the area.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 9,376 hours in all; 5,100 in this make and model; 280 in the last 90 days; 124 in the last 30 days; 9,246 as pilot in command; 3,100 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 12, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,144.1 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, June 23, 2004; 77.1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,960 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Turbomeca Ariel 1D1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: Wiakoloa Heli HI at 10:16 pm
- Destination: ITO Hilo HI
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 13 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,000 ft; a few clouds at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from ITO, 28 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 5 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.