# NTSB LAX05CA004: Hughes 369HS, N74AM, Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean), October 6, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 6, 2004, 15:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)
- Coordinates: 37.634773, -130.070907 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6348&lon=-130.0709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60341
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60341/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA004

## Probable cause

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

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Roll over, takeoff
  - landing gear,skid assembly - movement restricted
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,aircraft tie-down(s) - not removed (cause)

## Analysis

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.

## Factual narrative

On October 6, 2004, at 1515 local ship time (FSM), a single-engine Hughes 369HS, N74AM, rolled over on its side while attempting to takeoff from the ship Purse Seiner operating in international waters near Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia.  Fling Air, Inc., operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The helicopter sustained substantial damage.  The helicopter rated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  There were no injuries to other ship crewmembers.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area aerial observation flight, and no flight plan had been filed.  The flight was originating and scheduled to terminate on board the ship Purse Seiner.

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the helicopter was based on board the ship.  The ship was operating on the high seas for fishing operations.  The pilot attempted to takeoff while the left tie-down was still attached to the helicopter.  The helicopter rolled onto its left side, and the main rotor blades severed the tail boom.  The tail boom sank in the water.  The main rotor blades were destroyed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74AM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74AM-2021-03-26), registration cancelled 2021-03-26, S/N 1250790S, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hughes 369HS
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C10D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c10d) (registry code 54172, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1250790S
- Engines: Allison 250-C18 turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fling Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: Pacific Ocean, PO
- Destination: Pacific Ocean, PO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; medical: class 2; flight hours: 11,100 total, 5,100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20041006035249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041006035249A), Oct 6, 2004: Hughes 369HS, Pacific Ocean, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 6, 2004, at 1515 local time (federal states of micronesia), a single-engine Hughes 369HS, N74AM, rolled over on its side while attempting to…

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.

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