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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 17, 1994 · Bell 47G-5 · N2280W

Pacific Ocean, PO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 17, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Pacific Ocean, PO
Aircraft
Bell 47G-5
Tail Number
N2280W
Operator
Victor M Reyes
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX94LA386

The helicopter was engaged in fish spotting operations and flying off a Korean-owned tuna vessel 'Fijo Gloria.' The owner of the firm which operates the helicopter reported that he spoke at length with the ship captain and other crew members about the accident. The helicopter departed the ship about 1500 hours local ship time for a fish spotting mission. Routine communications were maintained between the ship and the helicopter until they ceased about 1600 hours. Helicopters from other fishing vessels then reported that the helicopter had crashed into the ocean 17 miles from the ship. The pilots of the other helicopters reported that they observed the accident aircraft fly into the water in a shallow descent. When the ship arrived at the crash site, the helicopter was found upside-down in the water. The right skid float was observed to have separated from the helicopter, while the left float remained attached. The cockpit/cabin area of the helicopter was reportedly undamaged. According to information obtained from British authorities, the pilot was a British national who was a former Royal Navy helicopter pilot.

NTSB Probable Cause

an in-flight collision with the water for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On September 17, 1994, about 1600 local ship time, a Bell 47G-5 helicopter, N2280W, collided with the Pacific Ocean while engaged in fish spotting operations in international waters approximately 500 miles south of the island of Guam. The helicopter was operated by Heleguam and leased to the Korean-owned tuna vessel FIJO GLORIA for aerial observation missions in support of fishing activities. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included calm wind and sea conditions. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and a Korean national fish spotter on board sustained fatal injuries. In a telephone interview, the owner of Heleguam reported that he spoke at length with the ship captain and other crew members about the accident. The helicopter departed the ship FIJO GLORIA about 1500 hours local ship time for a fish spotting mission. Routine communications were maintained between the ship and the helicopter until they ceased about 1600 hours. Helicopters from other fishing vessels then reported that the accident aircraft had crashed into the ocean about 17 miles from the ship. The pilots of the other helicopters reported to the ship captain that they observed the accident aircraft fly into the water in a shallow descent. When the FIJO GLORIA arrived at the crash site, the helicopter was found upside-down in the water. The right skid float was observed to have separated from the helicopter, while the left float remained attached. The cockpit/cabin area of the helicopter was reportedly undamaged. According to information obtained from the British Consulate in Los Angeles, the pilot was a British national who was a former helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airman Certification records reflect that the pilot was issued a United States commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft helicopter rating on March 7, 1994. He reportedly had in excess of 2,000 pilot hours. The operator has not responded to repeated telephone and written requests for detailed information and/or written documentation regarding the accident, including the completion of a National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, Form 6120.1/2. In addition, the operator has not responded to repeated requests for the present location of the helicopter wreckage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 47G-5
Tail NumberN2280W
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorVictor M Reyes
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435-B1A · Reciprocating · 260
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data