Eurocopter AS 350 BA accident near Honolulu, Hawaii, January 5, 2009
On January 5, 2009 at about 8:45 pm local time, a Eurocopter AS 350 BA (helicopter), registered N141MK, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Honolulu, Hawaii. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power during landing for an undetermined reason.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 5, 2009 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Honolulu, Hawaii · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter AS 350 BA · all AS 350 BAs on the register
- Registration
- N141MK · no longer on the register · serial 2424
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The purpose of the flight was to transport a worker to an antenna located on a ridge top at an elevation of about 2,400 feet. The pilot reported that the flight to the location was uneventful and that he completed his prelanding checklist and noted nothing abnormal. Just prior to landing, there was a loss of engine power. According to the pilot, “the engine felt and sounded like it was winding down and rotor RPM was starting to bleed off.” At this point the helicopter was less than 10 feet from the landing site and was not holding altitude. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter so that it touched down and rolled over onto its right side, which prevented the helicopter from falling down the steep slope of the ridge. After the helicopter came to rest, the pilot shut down the engine. Examination of the helicopter revealed no discrepancies with the fuel system. Engine continuity was established. A pneumatic leak check was performed and leaks were identified at the temperature compensator and at the PX acceleration bellows. A test cell run of the engine was completed without tightening any of the pneumatic fittings. During the test cell run, the engine achieved maximum continuous, takeoff, and thermodynamic shaft horsepower. The engine did not surge during transient deceleration and acceleration runs, and was responsive to commanded throttle inputs. No preexisting condition was identified on the engine that would have interfered with normal operation or explain the reported loss of engine power.
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 approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Roll over during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 13,000 hours in all; 6,500 in this make and model; 194 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days; 12,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 27, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 14,290 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 23, 2008; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,961 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Honeywell LTS101-600A-3 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Schuman Aviation Company Ltd
The flight
- Departed from: HNL Honolulu HI at 8:30 pm
- Destination: Honolulu HI
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 14 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 8:35 pm from HNL, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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 N141MK 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.