KAHULUI, HI, USA
N1113L
HUGHES 369D
THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO HERD SOME CATTLE DOWN A 20 TO 25 DEGREE SLOPE WHEN THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A ROCK AND HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO ROTATE AND THE PILOT ROLLED THE THROTTLE OFF AND 'PLANTED THE HELICOPTER ON THE GROUND.' DURING THE LANDING, THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM CUT THE TAIL BOOM OFF.
On June 11, 1993, at about 1100 Honolulu standard time, a Hughes 369D helicopter, N1113L, collided with the ground following a tail rotor strike while hearding cattle near Kahului, Hawaii. The aircraft was owned and operated by Pacific Helicopter Tours, Inc., of Kahului, Hawaii. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, however, the certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at the Kahului airport, Maui, Hawaii, on the day of the mishap at about 0800 hours and had made one fuel stop in a field near the hearding operation. In his written statement the pilot said he was attempting to heard some cattle down a 20 to 25 degree slope when the tail rotor struck a rock and he lost directional control. The aircraft began to rotate and the pilot said he rolled the throttle off and "planted the helicopter on the ground." During the landing, the main rotor system cut the tail boom off.
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE GROUND OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE WHILE ENGAGED IN A CATTLE HERDING OPERATION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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