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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

April 2, 1991 · Hughes 369C · N9227F

Papua, PP

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 2, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Papua, PP
Aircraft
Hughes 369C
Tail Number
N9227F
Operator
Sardina & Cileu Mgt
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX91LA172

THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT, WITH ONE PASSENGER, WAS ON A FLIGHT BETWEEN TWO TUNA FISHING VESSELS IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS. AS THE PILOT BEGAN A CLIMB FROM ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE WATER, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE CYCLIC CONTROL WAS BINDING IN ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS. THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO CLIMB UNTIL IT REACHED A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. THE PILOT APPLIED RUDDER PEDAL TO SWING THE NOSE DOWN. THE HELICOPTER THEN DESCENDED RAPIDLY TO THE SURFACE OF THE OCEAN WHERE A FLOAT ATTACHED TO THE LANDING GEAR SKID CONTACTED THE WATER. THE FLOATS WERE TORN OFF AND THE HELICOPTER CARTWHEELED AND SANK. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT RECOVERED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER DUE TO A RESTRICTION OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL SYSTEM.

Full Narrative

THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT, WITH ONE PASSENGER, WAS ON A FLIGHT BETWEEN TWO TUNA FISHING VESSELS IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS. AS THE PILOT BEGAN A CLIMB FROM ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE WATER, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE CYCLIC CONTROL WAS BINDING IN ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS. THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO CLIMB UNTIL IT REACHED A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. THE PILOT APPLIED RUDDER PEDAL TO SWING THE NOSE DOWN. THE HELICOPTER THEN DESCENDED RAPIDLY TO THE SURFACE OF THE OCEAN WHERE A FLOAT ATTACHED TO THE LANDING GEAR SKID CONTACTED THE WATER. THE FLOATS WERE TORN OFF AND THE HELICOPTER CARTWHEELED AND SANK. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT RECOVERED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:00 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes 369C
Tail NumberN9227F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSardina & Cileu Mgt
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 400
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

External Links

Appendix: Source Data