# NTSB LAX91LA172: Hughes 369C, N9227F, Papua, Papua New Guinea, April 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1991, 17:00 local (Apr 2, 1991, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Papua, Papua New Guinea
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27171
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27171/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA172

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER DUE TO A RESTRICTION OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - rotorcraft flight control,cyclic control - movement restricted (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT, WITH ONE PASSENGER, WAS ON A FLIGHT BETWEEN TWO TUNA FISHING VESSELS IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS.  AS THE PILOT BEGAN A CLIMB FROM ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE WATER, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE CYCLIC CONTROL WAS BINDING IN ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS.  THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO CLIMB UNTIL IT REACHED A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE.  THE PILOT APPLIED RUDDER PEDAL TO SWING THE NOSE DOWN.  THE HELICOPTER THEN DESCENDED RAPIDLY TO THE SURFACE OF THE OCEAN WHERE A FLOAT ATTACHED TO THE LANDING GEAR SKID CONTACTED THE WATER.  THE FLOATS WERE TORN OFF AND THE HELICOPTER CARTWHEELED AND SANK.  THE PILOT AND PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.  THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9227F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9227F-2013-03-18), registration cancelled 2013-03-18, S/N 1140665S, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369C
- 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: 1140665S
- Airframe hours: 8756
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Sardina & Cileu Mgt. Inc., doing business as Carolyn M Partnership
- Registered owner: Carolyn M Partnership
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 24, 1991, 30 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,000 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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