Hughes 369 accident near Honiara, PO

On December 28, 2008, a Hughes 369 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Honiara, PO. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.

Date

December 28, 2008

Place

Honiara, PO

Aircraft

Hughes 369 · Helicopter

Injuries

1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Destroyed

Position

9.244°S, 154.845°E

NTSB ID

20081230X00408

Official records · WPR09LA069

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

NTSB summary

On December 28, 2008, about 0545 Coordinated Universal Time, a Hughes 369A helicopter, N104BN, impacted ocean water and sank following a loss of control on takeoff from a fishing vessel in the Pacific Ocean's Solomon Sea, about 350 miles west of Honiara, Solomon Islands. The pilot, a Philippine national, was not found and is presumed dead, and the passenger, a Chinese national, sustained serious injuries. The helicopter, which was registered to Oceanside Helicopters, Inc., of Port Vila, Vanuatu, was not recovered and is presumed destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local work use flight. According to a written statement provided by the helicopter's mechanic, who witnessed the accident, the pilot forgot to remove the tail rotor pedal lock before takeoff. The helicopter lifted off and began to spin. The mechanic saw the pilot "trying to grab the pedal lock;" however, the pilot was unsuccessful. The helicopter impacted the water, the fixed floats separated, and the helicopter sank.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to remove the tail rotor pedal lock before attempting flight, resulting in a loss of control.

More accidents in PO

• Piper PA-44-180T, Feb 25, 1987
• Hughes 369HS, Sep 3, 2015
• Hughes 369HS, Mar 2, 2013
• Bartels Lancair, Aug 14, 2015
• Hughes OH-6A, Sep 11, 2010

Browse: Hughes aircraft

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.