Accident Overview
On February 27, 2024, at about 1330 Hawaii-Aleutian standard time, an MD Helicopter 369E, registration N633JH, was substantially damaged in an accident on a remote beach approximately 14 miles north of Kekaha, Hawaii, on the island of Kauai. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 sightseeing flight. The pilot and three passengers sustained minor injuries, and one passenger sustained serious injuries.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, while conducting a doors-off sightseeing flight near the northern shoreline of Kauai, he initially smelled smoke. He immediately began flying toward Kalalau Beach, the operator's predetermined helicopter emergency landing zone along the tour route. Shortly thereafter, he heard a loud "pop," followed by the engine out aural warning tone. The pilot immediately lowered the collective control and entered an autorotation to land at a nearby smaller, remote beach, known as Honopu Beach, as an emergency landing site.
As the helicopter touched down on the sand-covered beach, it rocked forward and nosed down into the sand. The helicopter then rolled to the right and came to rest on its side, resulting in substantial damage to the tail boom, fuselage, and main rotor system.
Postaccident Examination
The helicopter wreckage was recovered from the remote beach site and transported to a secure location in Lihue, Hawaii. An initial Federal Aviation Administration postaccident examination revealed that the overrunning clutch and engine-to-transmission driveshaft were fractured. Two investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) Alaska Regional Office, along with a helicopter aerospace engineer from Washington D.C., responded to Lihue to examine the wreckage. During the detailed on-scene examination, the investigative team retained various components for additional examination and testing; results are pending.
Pilot Statement
In the pilot's written statement, dated March 7, 2024, he credited the successful power-off emergency approach and landing on the small beach site to the operator's enhanced touchdown autorotation training.