Printed on : 11/18/2010 6:20:53 PM

National Transportation Safety Board

Factual Data Collection Report of Accident

LAX07CA077

Aircraft Reg No: N979HA

Most Critial Injury: Serious
Location/Time Aircraft Information

Nearest City/Place: Kaunakakai, HI Type of Aircraft: Airplane (not Homebuilt)

Occurrence Date: 01/31/2007 Make/Model: Bombardier, Inc. / DHC-8-103
Occurrence Time: 1540 HST Serial Number: 373
Landing Gear: Retractable - Tricycle
Flight Itinerary Engine Type: Turbo Prop
Engine Make/Model: Pratt & Whitney / PW121
Last Depart. Point: HONOLULU, HI Aircraft Damage: None
Destination: KAHULUI, HI Aircraft Fire: None

Operator Information Weather

Registered Acft Owner: Wells Fargo Bank Northwest Condition of Light: Day
Operator of Aircraft: Hawaii Island Air Wx Cond. at Site: Visual Conditions
Operator Address: Honolulu, HI
Reg. Flt. Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation

First Pilot Information

Cert(s)/Rating(s): Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Flight Engineer; Multi-engine Land; Flight Time (Hours)
Single-engine Land
Total All Aircraft: 8853
Instrument Ratings: Airplane Total Make/Model: 2713
Medical Cert: Class 1
Date of Last Med. Exam: 08/2006
Injury Summary

Fatal Serious Minor/None

Crew 0 1 5
Pass 0 0 0

Narrative
*** This investigation is based on information furnished by the Pilot/Operator. Additional details may be found in the Form 6120.1***
On January 31, 2007, about 1540 Hawaiian standard time, a Bombardier DHC-8-103, N979HA, encountered
severe turbulence while descending near Kaunakakai, Hawaii. Hawaii Island Air, d.b.a. Island Air,
was operating the airplane as a positioning flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The
airline transport pilot licensed captain, first officer, one flight attendant, and two deadheading
pilot crew members were not injured; one deadheading pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane
was not damaged. The cross-country repositioning flight departed Honolulu, Hawaii, about 1515, with
a planned destination of Kahului, Hawaii. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an
instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. The approximate global positioning system
(GPS) coordinates of the event were 21 degrees 09.02 minutes north latitude and 157 degrees 05.8
minutes west longitude.

In the operator's written report, the company reported that the purpose of the flight was to position
the airplane to Kahului. A second airplane crew was deadheading on the flight. The flying captain
noted an anomaly in the airspeed for the existing power setting. He also observed that the flap
indicator showed a "slight" deployment of the flaps. He requested that the deadheading captain look
out a cabin window, visually note the physical setting of the flap position, and report the findings.
The deadheading captain observed that the flaps were in the fully retracted position, and reported
that information to the flying captain.

About this time, ATC personnel requested that a descent be initiated. The flight crew began the
descent by reducing the power to slow the airplane. The deadheading captain left the cockpit to
return to his cabin seat. While the deadheading captain was walking back to his seat, the airplane
encountered a severe turbulence event, which lasted about 5 to 10 seconds. The deadheading captain
was thrown about the cabin area, and was injured.

The flying captain declared an emergency, and received priority handling by ATC. The flight landed
and taxied to the gate without incident. The deadheading captain was transported to the hospital via
ambulance. A medical examination reveled he had sustained a compression fracture to his L-1
vertebrae.
 National Transportation Safety Board
Factual Data Collection Report of Accident

LAX07CA077

Narrative (Continued)

The FAA accident coordinator reviewed the ATC recordings between Maui approach control (APCON),
Sunami 4 (Cessna 208), C-FBCN (Beech King-Air), and the accident airplane Moku 979.

Prior to Moku 979 checking into APCON, Sunami 4 reported moderate turbulence at 4,000 feet about 15
miles east of Maui. The King Air reported moderate and occasional severe turbulence at 2,000 to
2,500 feet 15 miles east of Maui. APCON contacted FSS and advised them of the PIREP's. About 75
seconds after APCON contacted FSS, Moku 979 reported in. APCON told them to "expect lower in 5
miles." APCON did not advise Moku 979 of the reported turbulence in the area. Ninety-five seconds
later, APCON said, "Moku 979 turn right to 170, descend to 1,500 feet." Fifteen seconds later Moku
979 declared an emergency.