Eurocopter AS350D accident near Kahului, Hawaii, January 29, 2006
On January 29, 2006 at about 7:07 pm local time, a Eurocopter AS350D (helicopter), registered N90Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Kahului, Hawaii (Kahului airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 7 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to the internal effects on the bearings consistent with an operating event of insufficient oil supply. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper flare during the autorotative descent.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 29, 2006 · about 7:07 pm local time
- Place
- Kahului, Hawaii · Kahului · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 7 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter AS350D · all AS350Ds on the register
- Registration
- N90Q · no longer on the register · serial 2324
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During cruise flight the helicopter lost all engine power. The pilot made a hard forced during the autorotative descent onto a road. Post accident disassembly and examination of the engine disclosed that the power loss was due to the number two bearing sustaining significant damage [heavy roller deformation] and heat distress, consistent with an operating event with an insufficient oil supply. The engine had been leased by the operator from another firm. The operator's Director of Maintenance had installed the engine 13 operational hours prior to the accident flight. The record examination revealed, in part, that: (1) The engine’s serial number (S/N) data plate was defaced such that the S/N’s fifth numeric digit appears to have been overstruck onto the data plate, rendering the original, underlying digit illegible; (2) A 2003 logbook entry indicated that the engine was sold in an “as is” condition and was unserviceable, but the entry had a single line drawn through it with the word “void” and signed initials appearing above it; (3) a 2004 logbook entry indicated that long-term preservation was not accomplished, further maintenance was required, and a determination of serviceability was required before the next flight; and (4) the engine received an FAA Form 8130-3, “Airworthiness Approval Tag,” dated December 18, 2005, which certified that the engine was in “a condition for safe operation” and was found to be suitable for “return to service” per 14 CFR 43.9. The pilot stated that he did not observe illumination of any annunciator warning light on the helicopter's cockpit warning annunciator panel (CWP) prior to the power loss event. Illumination of CWP lights provides the pilot with an early indication of an impending problem. The brightness control switch on the CWP was found in the minimum brightness position, rather than in the maximum position recommended for daylight operation.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 25,000 hours in all; 22,000 in this make and model; 120 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 25,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,174.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 1, 2005; 13 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,630 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C30M (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Alika Aviation, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: OGG Kahului HI at 7:00 pm
- Destination: OGG
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,500 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 6:54 pm from OGG, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 6 |
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.