Hughes 369C N9227F

Summary

On 2 April 1991 at about 03:00 local time, a Hughes 369C registered N9227F, operated by Sardina & Cileu MGT. Inc., was involved in an accident near Papua, Papua New Guinea. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 April 1991 at 03:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Papua, Papua New Guinea

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Hughes 369C

Registration

N9227F

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Sardina & Cileu MGT. Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX91LA172

2 people had minor injuries.

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

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB 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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.