Accident Overview
An air tour flight ended when the aircraft impacted mountainous terrain on the island of Maui. Approximately 10 minutes before the accident, the pilot had radioed to a Flight Service Station (FSS) his intentions to overfly an area about 5 miles southwest of the island. At the time of the accident, instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the location.
Pilot Qualifications and Employment
Investigation revealed that the pilot did not possess the minimum flight hours stipulated in the company’s operations manual to qualify as a captain. Additionally, the pilot had falsified information on the employment application and resume. The company did not conduct substantive preemployment background checks, nor were they required to do so by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Regulatory Context
The accident prompted discussion regarding the need for regulations specific to air tour operators. The source notes that such regulations would enable FAA inspectors to require, rather than merely encourage, operators to adhere to procedures that offer the safety improvements outlined in SFAR 50-2 and FAA Handbook 8400.10 Bulletin 92-01.