# NTSB LAX95LA146: Bell 206B, N2223P, Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean), March 21, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1995, 17:30 local (Mar 21, 1995, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29062
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29062/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA146

## Probable cause

the loss of tail rotor control for undetermined reasons.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff
  - rotor system,tail rotor - undetermined (cause)
- Hard landing, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS OPERATING FROM A FISHING VESSEL FOR FISH SPOTTING MISSIONS. THE PILOT SAID THE HELICOPTER HAD A TAIL ROTOR PROBLEM DURING TAKEOFF FROM THE SHIP. THE PILOT REDUCED THE THROTTLE AND COLLECTIVE TO CONTROL THE YAW. THE HELICOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE SHIP. THE HELICOPTER THEN LANDED HARD ON THE WATER AND SANK. THE WRECKAGE WAS NOT RECOVERED AND THE NATURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Factual narrative

On March 20, 1995, at 1730 hours Hawaii standard time, a Bell Helicopter 206B, N2223P, collided with the surface of the Pacific Ocean during takeoff from the fishing vessel WESTERN PACIFIC.  The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries.  The sole passenger received serious injuries.  The helicopter was destroyed as a result of sinking in salt water.  The helicopter was being operated as a fish-spotting flight by Western Pacific Fisheries, Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada, under 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

According to the pilot, the helicopter had a tail rotor problem during takeoff from the fishing vessel.  The pilot reduced the throttle and collective to control the yaw.  The helicopter's main rotor blade struck the ship.  The helicopter then landed hard on the water and sank.  Both occupants were able to egress from the helicopter unaided and were picked up by a speedboat from the fishing vessel.

The accident location was 154 degrees, 11 minutes east longitude and 8 degrees, 30 minutes south latitude.  The location is approximately 3,340 miles southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii.

Both occupants were transported by the ship to Honiara, Solomon Islands, and then flew to Brisbane, Australia, for medical treatment.  According to the operator, the helicopter passenger, who was also the fishing vessel's captain, complained of back injuries.  He was treated for the broken ribs in Australia, and  was admitted to the hospital for 2 days.

The helicopter wreckage was not recovered and the nature of the tail rotor problem could not be determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2223P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2223P-1997-02-18), registration cancelled 1997-02-18, S/N 3550 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3550
- Airframe hours: 6647
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Western Pacific Fisheries, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 29, 1994, 68 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 7,000 total, 640 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- 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 19950321005789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950321005789A), Mar 21, 1995: Bell 206B, Pacific Ocean, HI, Destroyed. On takeoff for fish spotting tail rotor problem. Main rotors hit ship. 206B fell into Ocean. Wreck not recovered.

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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