# NTSB LAX00LA103: Hughes 369HS, N717ST, Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean), February 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 14, 2000 - Place: Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean) - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48702 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48702/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA103 ## Probable cause An unknown mechanical malfunction that resulted in a precautionary landing at sea and the subsequent sinking of the helicopter by an ocean swell. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - large wave/swell (cause) - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis On the third flight of the day, at 100 feet after takeoff from the fishing vessel, the pilot reported that he felt a grinding sensation from the cyclic control followed by a loud bang. After making the precautionary landing, the helicopter was struck by an ocean swell, rolled over, and subsequently sank. The pilot and observer were rescued uninjured from the water by the fishing vessel. It was noted that the foreign pilot did not possess a U.S. flight certificate. ## Factual narrative On February 14, 2000, at 1700 local meridian time, a Hughes 369HS, N717ST, made a precautionary landing due to engine problems in international waters on the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles north of Papua, New Guinea. The helicopter, operated by O'Hara Helicopters, Inc., under 14 CFR Part 91 as a fish spotting operation, subsequently sank in deep water after rolling over in a large ocean swell. The pilot, who held an Australian commercial pilot certificate, and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial observation flight. The flight originated from a fishing vessel at an unknown time. In the pilot's written statement to the Safety Board, he reported that this was the third flight of the day. After takeoff, at 100 feet, he felt a metal-on-metal grinding sensation through the cyclic and then a loud noise. The pilot noted that prior to the precautionary landing the helicopter responded "abnormally" to control inputs. He elected to land immediately on the water instead of attempting to return to the vessel due to safety precautions. The pilot stated that the ocean conditions were rough and after exiting the helicopter it was overturned by a large swell and sank. The pilot and observer were rescued from the water by the fishing vessel. According to an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) International Flight Operations (IFO) division, who reviewed the FAA pilot certification database, the pilot did not possess a U.S. flight certificate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N717ST](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N717ST-2015-08-04), registration cancelled 2015-08-04, S/N 350717S, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 369HS - Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 350717S - Airframe hours: 6221 - Engines: Allison 250-C10 315 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: O'Hara Helicopters Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 1999, 92 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; foreign, commercial; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,470 total, 365 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000214011339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000214011339A), Feb 14, 2000: Hughes 369HS, Papua, No damage. (-23) On 2/14/00 at 1700 hrs local, N717ST made a precautionary landing in international waters of pacific ocean approx 500 miles north of Papua, new guinea.… ## Other investigations on N717ST (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 ANC76AA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76AA011), Jul 21, 1975: Hughes 369HS (N717ST), Deadhorse, AK, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.