Hughes 369FF accident near Kekaha, Hawaii, May 14, 2008
On May 14, 2008 at about 9:40 pm local time, a Hughes 369FF (helicopter), registered N530R, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Kekaha, 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 loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 14, 2008 · about 9:40 pm local time
- Place
- Kekaha, Hawaii · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369FF · all 369FFs on the register
- Registration
- N530R · registry record · serial 0005F
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- External-load flight · external-load helicopter rules (Part 133)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter pilot reported that he was conducting long-line operations when he heard a loud "popping" sound and moments later the helicopter's engine lost power. The pilot released the long line with its cargo and performed an autorotation to the ground. The helicopter landed hard and the main rotor blades severed the tail boom. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no discrepancies that would have prevented normal engine operation. The engine was removed from the helicopter, placed in an engine test cell, and started. It was taken through a series of timed accelerations and decelerations where it performed to production test standards. The reason for the loss of engine power was not 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 (total) during maneuvering
- Autorotation Off-field or emergency landing
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,000 hours in all; 2,300 in this make and model; 300 in the last 90 days; 100 in the last 30 days; 3,900 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 15,094 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 3, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C30 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PAK Kekaha HI at 9:20 pm
- Destination: PAK Hanapepe HI
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 9:56 pm from HBK, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N530R the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.