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NTSB Report
July 7, 1986 · Bell 206B · N4835A
Pacific Ocean, PO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 7, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Pacific Ocean, PO
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N4835A
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86FJA02
THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF FROM THE DECK OF A TUNA BOAT WHEN IT CONTACTED THE SIDE OF THE BOAT AND SANK IN THE OCEAN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED ONE OF TWO NOSE TIEDOWN STRAPS HAD NOT BEEN REMOVED FROM THE HELICOPTER PRIOR TO THE TAKEOFF. THE NOSE TIEDOWN WERE NORMALLY USED ONLY AFTER FLYING HOURS AND WHEN ROUGH SEAS EXISTED. THE FOUR SIDE TIEDOWN STRAPS NORMALLY USED WHEN THE HELICOPTER WAS ON DECK WERE RELEASED BY A MECHANIC JUST PRIOR TO THE TAKEOFF. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN AT COORDINATES 10.15'N AND 141.40'W, APPROXIMATELY 91 MILES SE OF HILO, HAWAII.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF FROM THE DECK OF A TUNA BOAT WHEN IT CONTACTED THE SIDE OF THE BOAT AND SANK IN THE OCEAN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED ONE OF TWO NOSE TIEDOWN STRAPS HAD NOT BEEN REMOVED FROM THE HELICOPTER PRIOR TO THE TAKEOFF. THE NOSE TIEDOWN WERE NORMALLY USED ONLY AFTER FLYING HOURS AND WHEN ROUGH SEAS EXISTED. THE FOUR SIDE TIEDOWN STRAPS NORMALLY USED WHEN THE HELICOPTER WAS ON DECK WERE RELEASED BY A MECHANIC JUST PRIOR TO THE TAKEOFF. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN AT COORDINATES 10.15'N AND 141.40'W, APPROXIMATELY 91 MILES SE OF HILO, HAWAII.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN4835A
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 400
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT