Final
7 fatal
Dec 26, 2019
N985SA crash at Kekaha, HI
Airbus AS350B2 — VFR encounter with IMC at Kekaha, HI
DateDec 26, 2019
Tail numberN985SA
AircraftAirbus AS350B2 · Airbus AS350 AStar · AS50
LocationKekaha, HI
Phase of flightEnroute
OperationPart 135
Injuries7 fatal
NTSB caseANC20MA010
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which resulted in the collision into terrain. Contributing to the accident was Safari Aviation Inc.’s lack of safety management processes to identify hazards and mitigate the risks associated with factors that influence pilots to continue VFR flight into IMC. Also contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration’s delayed implementation of a Hawaii aviation weather camera program, its lack of leadership in the development of a cue-based weather training program for Hawaii air tour pilots, and its ineffective monitoring and oversight of Hawaii air tour operators’ weather-related operating practices.
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