# Accident 20180704023669A: Hughes 369D, July 4, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 4, 2018, 08:14 local time
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 7.1103° N, 171.1797° E: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=7.1103&lon=171.1797&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8648F, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8648F) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D (registry code 4470706, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C20B (registry code 54385, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D
- Reported engine: ROLLS-ROYC 250-C20B
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 844 total, 200 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR18FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA188) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180704023669A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AT  APPROXIMATELY 2114 GMT, THE HELICOPTER INITIATED A NORMAL PINNACLE TYPE OF DEPARTURE FROM THE VESSELS HELIPAD  WITH THE PILOT AND ONE OBSERVER ON BOARD.   THE AIRCRAFT PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY AWAY FROM THE VESSEL ON A ROUTINE FLIGHT TO SPOT TUNA FISH.

TWENTY ONE SECONDS INTO THE FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT MADE A LEFT TURN AND PROCEEDED ACROSS THE PATH OF THE SHIP AT A  LOW ALTITUDE  OF 10 TO 15 FEET AND APPROXIMATELY 35 KNOTS.  THE WATER WAS GLASSY WITH  6 TO 8 FOOT SWELLS.

THE AIRCRAFT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN PARALLEL TO AND FLYING IN THE TROUGH OF A SWELL.  AS THE WATER ROSE, THE RIGHT PONTOON CONTACTED THE WATER  CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED THE WATER  THIRTY ONE SECONDS INTO FLIGHT.

THE ROTOR BLADES GIVE EVIDENCE THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNDER POWER AT THE TIME OF IMPACT AND NO ABNORMAL ATTITUDE OR FLIGHT PATH IS NOTED IN THE SHIP'S VIDEO OF THE ACCIDENT.

A SERVICE BOAT WAS IMMEDIATELY SENT TO RESCUE THE CREW. CPR WAS PERFORMED ON BOTH MEMBERS. THE CAPTAIN DECLARED BOTH DEAD AT 2125 GMT. AIRCRAFT RECOVERED TO VESSEL.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR18FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA188), Jul 4, 2018: Hughes 369 (N8648F), Majuro, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance above the surface of the ocean.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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