Hughes OH-6A N74LB

Summary

On 11 September 2010 at about 15:00 local time, a Hughes OH-6A registered N74LB, operated by Jims Air Repair Inc, was involved in an accident near Majuro, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 September 2010 at 15:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Majuro, United States

Coordinates

37.6360, -130.0699

Aircraft

Hughes OH-6A

Registration

N74LB

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Jims Air Repair Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Majuro → Majuro

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10LA464

1 person died.

A loss of helicopter control for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to a representative from the operator, the pilot and spotter were conducting fish-spotting duties, and the helicopter was in a cruise flight about 600 feet above the water when the pilot felt a vibration through the tail rotor pedals. The pilot descended to about 15 feet above the water; the helicopter yawed right, contacted the water, and rolled over. The pilot and spotter exited the helicopter and were later rescued by a fishing vessel; however, the spotter died the following day. The helicopter’s tail boom and tail rotor assembly were not located and presumably sank. Sections of the fuselage and main rotor assembly were recovered but were disposed of before investigative personnel could examine them.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.