Date: 201501
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: HCF.TRACON, HI
Light: Night
Aircraft: Helicopter
Operator: Military
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: IFR
Flight phase: Initial Climb
Airspace: Class E HCF
ATC / advisory: TRACON HCF
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Departure
Reporter qualification: Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human factors: Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness; Confusion; Distraction
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Airspace Structure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: I was working sector R and my assistant released Aircraft X off HHI climbing to 5000. After I established radar identification I continued to work other aircraft and noticed that Aircraft X was not in a right turn on the departure procedure as expected. I questioned the aircraft and was told that they were assigned a vector and to expect additional vectors to Palay intersection. The aircraft was climbing thru 3200 in a 4400 MVA and was headed to the mountain range. I immediately turned the aircraft left on a heading that would take the aircraft to a lower MVA and allow me to vector back on course. A right turn would have the aircraft along the mountains longer before diverging; while a left turn would take the aircraft away from the higher terrain and toward the pineapple fields south of Haleiwa. When the aircraft was headed in the correct direction I instructed the aircraft; 'leaving 4400 (MVA) fly heading 160 vector for...'The controller responsible for issuing the departure clearance had apparently issued a radar vector departure clearance. We were not previously aware of this and would not have known other than to observe the aircraft. Because this airport (HHI) is basically non-radar until around 1000 ft. and because of the high terrain and MVA; the aircraft are always assigned a SID. I believe the inexperience of the issuing controller combined with the principal navaid (CKH) being OTS for the normal SID; combined for the non-issuance of a SID.A HCF Center sector issues the clearances when the tower is open. The aircraft always depart on a SID into TRACONS airspace; before transitioning into center airspace. I believe the users and the TRACON would be better served by the TRACON controllers responsible for that airspace issuing the clearances to all aircraft departing HHI. We work the airspace; we know the airspace and the effect weather and navaid outages have on the departures out of that airport!




Synopsis: HCF Controller describes a situation where an aircraft departs an airport under their control but does not follow the standard departure. Aircraft turns incorrectly and is in an area with a low MVA. Controller issues a vector towards a lower MVA and flight resumes safely.