Hughes 369HS N74AM

Summary

On 6 October 2004 at about 15:15 local time, a Hughes 369HS registered N74AM was involved in an accident near Pacific Ocean. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 October 2004 at 15:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Pacific Ocean

Coordinates

37.6348, -130.0709

Aircraft

Hughes 369HS

Registration

N74AM

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pacific Ocean → Pacific Ocean

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX05CA004

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection to ensure that all tie downs were removed from the helicopter, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While attempting to takeoff from a fishing vessel on the high seas, the helicopter rolled onto its side. The tail boom was severed by the main rotor blades and the main rotor blades were destroyed. The pilot attempted to take off with the left tie-down still attached to the helicopter landing gear.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.