# NTSB LAX94LA041: Hughes 369D, N5172K, Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean), November 7, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 7, 1993 - Place: Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean) - Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report August 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28595 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28595/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA041 ## Probable cause AN UNDETERMINED EVENT THAT RESULTED IN THE ACCIDENT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undetermined, unknown - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) ## Analysis THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED A FISHING VESSEL ON A FISH SPOTTING FLIGHT WITH THE PILOT AND A CREWMEMBER. ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF AFTER DEPARTURE, THE HELICOPTER DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR ABOUT 27 MILES FROM THE VESSEL. NO COMMUNICATIONS WERE RECEIVED FROM THE HELICOPTER. A SEARCH OF THE AREA REVEALED FLOATING DEBRIS, AIRCRAFT FRAGMENTS, AND PERSONAL ITEMS. THE TWO CREW MEMBERS WERE NOT LOCATED AND WERE PRESUMED TO HAVE RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT RECOVERED AND WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 375 MILES NORTHEAST OF MADANG, PAPUA, NEW GUINEA, IN THE BISMARCK SEA. ## Factual narrative On November 7, 1993, about 0145 hours Greenwich mean time (GMT), a Hughes 369D helicopter, N5172K, crashed about 375 miles northeast of Madang, Papua New Guinea, in the Bismarck Sea. The helicopter was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area fish spotting flight when the accident occurred. The helicopter, registered to the Laura Z Fishing Co. Inc., Saipan, and operated by Big Eye Helicopters, Guam, is presumed to be destroyed. The certificated commercial pilot and a crew member are presumed to have received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed the fishing vessel Laura Z about 0012 hours GMT. The captain of the Laura Z reported the accident to the U.S. Coast Guard, Guam. The aircraft departed the vessel on a fish spotting flight and was being tracked on the ship's radar. At 0145 hours, the helicopter was about 27.5 miles from the ship on a 322 degree magnetic bearing when the radar return from the aircraft disappeared. There were no radio communications from the helicopter. The ship proceeded to the last known position, arriving at 0310 hours GMT. The ship dropped a radio marking buoy at the accident site located at latitude 03 degrees, 32.65 minutes south, and longitude 149 degrees, 34.05 degrees east. The helicopter was equipped with fixed style floats. A search of the area revealed floating debris, fragments of the helicopter's floats, and personal items. The operator reported that a subsequent search of the area involving two additional vessels over the following two and one-half days failed to locate the crew. The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft helicopter rating. In addition, the pilot held a mechanics certificate with an airframe and powerplant ratings. The most recent second class medical certificate was issued to the pilot on May 14, 1993, and contained no limitations. No personal flight records were located for the pilot. According to the pilot/operator report submitted by the operator, the pilot's total aeronautical experience consisted of about 3,600 hours, of which 1,000 were accrued in the accident aircraft make and model. The pilot's flight time was based on an employment application from June 20, 1991. In the pilot/operator report and in a computerized component status report, the operator indicated that the helicopter had accumulated a total time in service of 8,544.2 flight hours. In addition, a 100-hour inspection was conducted on July 26, 1993. The report indicates that the helicopter had accrued one hour since the 100-hour inspection. The engine had accrued 5,143.6 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5172K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5172K-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 1123D, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 369D - Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1123D - Airframe hours: 8544 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Big Eye Helicopters Inc. - Registered owner: Laura Z Fishing Co. Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 26, 1993, 1 hours before - Departed: VESSEL LAURA Z ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,600 total, 1,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 4 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none 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.