# NTSB LAX95LA063: McDonnell Douglas 500, N9128F, Chuuk Island (Pacific Ocean), December 29, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1994, 15:15 local (Dec 29, 1994, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Chuuk Island (Pacific Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 4, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA063

## Probable cause

undetermined.

## 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 PILOT AND AN OBSERVER DEPARTED THE SHIP FOR A FISH-SPOTTING MISSION.  WHEN THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT HIS POSITION, THE SHIP RETURNED TO THE LAST KNOWN POSITION AND FOUND VARIOUS DEBRIS FROM THE AIRCRAFT.  THERE WERE NO DISTRESS RADIO CALLS FROM THE PILOT.  THE OPERATOR REPORTED NO KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.  THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE GOOD VISIBILITY WITH LIGHT WINDS.

## Factual narrative

On December 28, 1994, at 1515 local Guam time, a McDonnell-Douglas 500 helicopter, N9128F, with two persons onboard, was reported missing during a local fish-spotting mission southwest of Chuuk Island in the Pacific Ocean (1 degree 25 minutes north; 152 degrees 9 minutes east).  Fair weather conditions were reported by the ship's crew.  The aircraft was operated by Hoffman Helicopters, Inc., on the island of Guam.  According to the operator, the helicopter was being used as a fish spotter for a Taiwanese fishing vessel the "Winfar 636."

The operator reported that the helicopter was 5 minutes from the ship conducting normal operations.  When the pilot stopped reporting his position, the ship returned to the last known position to begin a search.  The search found some floats and an oil slick, but no helicopter or crew.  The ship arrived at the last known location at 1558 and found various debris from the aircraft at 1610.  There were no reported distress calls from the crew.

According to the operator, the aircraft and radios were operating normally with no known problems.  The pilot was an experienced pilot and held a mechanic's license.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9128F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9128F-1996-01-09), registration cancelled 1996-01-09, S/N 720398S (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas 500
- Registry model: [Hughes 369HS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (registry code 4470728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 720398S
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 375 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Hoffman Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Hoffman Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: PO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,800 total, 5,064 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19941228042959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941228042959A), Dec 28, 1994: Hughes 369HS, Chuuk Island, Guam, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Reported missing on fish spotting. Flight. Found floats and debris in water. Occupants missing.

## Other investigations on N9128F (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 FTW90LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA090), Apr 3, 1990: Hughes H500C (N9128F), Houston, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE FOR UNDERTEMINED REASONS AND THE PILOT MISJUDGING THE FLARE PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN.

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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