The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has issued a preliminary report for the fatal crash of a Bell 206B JetRanger helicopter on Feb. 18 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
A Canadian teenager — identified in news reports as 16-year-old Riley Dobson of Guelph, Ont. — was killed in the crash, while the pilot and two passengers were seriously injured, and another passenger sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was being operated by Genesis Helicopters as a local air tour flight under the provisions of Federal Aviation Regulations part 91.
According to the report, “The pilot reported to the [NTSB] investigator-in-charge, that while in cruise flight over Ford Island, he felt a vibration followed by a grinding noise. Shortly after, the pilot heard a loud bang, scanned the instrument panel and saw that the engine instruments indicated the engine was still running, however, rotor r.p.m. decreasing.
“The pilot initiated an autorotation to a grassy area near Contemplation Circle at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument. As the pilot neared his intended landing area, he observed multiple people within the area. The pilot stated he initiated a left pedal turn, attempting to land close to the shoreline. Subsequently, the helicopter descended rapidly into the water, about 20 feet from the shoreline.
“Witnesses located at various locations at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument reported observing the helicopter near their location traveling at a low altitude before it suddenly descended into the water.”
The wreckage of the helicopter was recovered from 40 feet of water, about 20 feet from the shoreline, and moved to a secure location for further examination.
The full report is available on the NTSB website.
