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NTSB Report
January 29, 1996 · Bell 47G-2A1 · N6569H
Honiara, PO, BP
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 29, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Honiara, PO, BP
Aircraft
Bell 47G-2A1
Tail Number
N6569H
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX96LA111
The pilot lifted off from the ship with the right rear skid still attached with a tie down rope. The aircraft rolled to the right and impacted the water inverted, sinking immediately. The floatation devices on the skids separated during the impact sequence. The pilot and the aircraft were not recovered due to the depth of the water. The operator reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft prior to the accident.
NTSB Probable Cause
the pilot and the ship crew's failure to assure the tie down strap was removed prior to liftoff.
Full Narrative
On January 29, 1996, at 1000 hours local ship time near Honiara in the Solomon Islands, a Bell 47G helicopter, N6569H, attempted a takeoff from a ship on a fish spotting mission. The aircraft rolled over on the starboard side of the ship and went into the ocean inverted. The fixed floats were torn from the aircraft and it sank immediately. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, was not recovered and is presumed to have been fatally injured. The helicopter was not recovered due to the depth of the water.According to the operator, the right rear tie down strap for the right skid was not removed prior to liftoff. There were no reported mechanical problems with the aircraft prior to the accident.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 47G-2A1
Tail NumberN6569H
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · VO-435 · Reciprocating · 270
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT