- ACCIDENT DETAILS
Date: June 15, 2003
Time: 0935
Location: Volcano, Hawaii
Operator: Paradise Tour Helicopters
Flight #: ?
Route: Sightseeing
AC Type: McDonnell Douglas 369D
Registration: N4493M
cn / ln: 570137D
Aboard: 4   (passengers:3  crew:1)
Fatalities: 4   (passengers:3  crew:1)
Ground: 0
Summary: The helicopter impacted a lava field on the Pulama Pali in the Volcanoes National Park, Volcano, Hawaii. A loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture and separation of the compressor coupling adapter. The fatigue fracture was initiated by fretting on the pilot diameter due to both the inadequate design of the coupling and the coaxial misalignment of the spur adapter gear, compressor-coupling adapter, and compressor impeller during recent engine maintenance where the gearbox was removed and replaced. A factor in the accident was the unsuitable nature of the terrain to make an emergency landing.
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