# NTSB LAX94LA386: Bell 47G-5, N2280W, Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean), September 17, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 17, 1994 - Place: Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean) - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28879 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA386 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28879/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA386 ## Probable cause an in-flight collision with the water for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - terrain condition - water,glassy - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) ## Analysis THE HELICOPTER WAS ENGAGED IN FISH SPOTTING OPERATIONS AND FLYING OFF A KOREAN-OWNED TUNA VESSEL 'FIJO GLORIA.' THE OWNER OF FIRM WHICH OPERATES THE HELICOPTER REPORTED THAT HE SPOKE AT LENGTH WITH THE SHIP CAPTAIN AND OTHER CREW MEMBERS ABOUT THE ACCIDENT. THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED THE SHIP ABOUT 1500 HOURS LOCAL SHIP TIME FOR A FISH SPOTTING MISSION. ROUTINE COMMUNICATIONS WERE MAINTAINED BETWEEN THE SHIP AND THE HELICOPTER UNTIL THEY CEASED ABOUT 1600 HOURS. HELICOPTERS FROM OTHER FISHING VESSELS THEN REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER HAD CRASHED INTO THE OCEAN 17 MILES FROM THE SHIP. THE PILOTS OF THE OTHER HELICOPTERS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT FLY INTO THE WATER IN A SHALLOW DESCENT. WHEN THE SHIP ARRIVED AT THE CRASH SITE, THE HELICOPTER WAS FOUND UPSIDE-DOWN IN THE WATER. THE RIGHT SKID FLOAT WAS OBSERVED TO HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE HELICOPTER, WHILE THE LEFT FLOAT REMAINED ATTACHED. THE COCKPIT/CABIN AREA OF THE HELICOPTER WAS REPORTEDLY UNDAMAGED. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM BRITISH AUTHORITIES, THE PILOT WAS A BRITISH NATIONAL WHO WAS A FORMER ROYAL NAVY HELICOPTER PILOT. ## Factual narrative On September 17, 1994, about 1600 local ship time, a Bell 47G-5 helicopter, N2280W, collided with the Pacific Ocean while engaged in fish spotting operations in international waters approximately 500 miles south of the island of Guam. The helicopter was operated by Heleguam and leased to the Korean-owned tuna vessel FIJO GLORIA for aerial observation missions in support of fishing activities. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included calm wind and sea conditions. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and a Korean national fish spotter on board sustained fatal injuries. In a telephone interview, the owner of Heleguam reported that he spoke at length with the ship captain and other crew members about the accident. The helicopter departed the ship FIJO GLORIA about 1500 hours local ship time for a fish spotting mission. Routine communications were maintained between the ship and the helicopter until they ceased about 1600 hours. Helicopters from other fishing vessels then reported that the accident aircraft had crashed into the ocean about 17 miles from the ship. The pilots of the other helicopters reported to the ship captain that they observed the accident aircraft fly into the water in a shallow descent. When the FIJO GLORIA arrived at the crash site, the helicopter was found upside-down in the water. The right skid float was observed to have separated from the helicopter, while the left float remained attached. The cockpit/cabin area of the helicopter was reportedly undamaged. According to information obtained from the British Consulate in Los Angeles, the pilot was a British national who was a former helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airman Certification records reflect that the pilot was issued a United States commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft helicopter rating on March 7, 1994. He reportedly had in excess of 2,000 pilot hours. The operator has not responded to repeated telephone and written requests for detailed information and/or written documentation regarding the accident, including the completion of a National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, Form 6120.1/2. In addition, the operator has not responded to repeated requests for the present location of the helicopter wreckage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2280W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2280W-2014-09-16), registration cancelled 2014-09-16, S/N 7970, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 47G-5 - Registry model: [Bell 47G-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-5) (registry code 1181032) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 7970 - Engines: LYCOMING VO-435-B1A 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Victor M. Reyes, doing business as Heleguam - Registered owner: Pan Pacific Trading Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SHIP FIJO GLORI, PO - Destination: PO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 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 19940917035599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940917035599A), Sep 17, 1994: Bell 47G5, Guam, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Collided with ocean while fish spotting. Observed to descend into water. Found inverted. One float torn off. 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.