# NTSB LAX95LA298: Mcdonnell Douglas 500, N9213F, Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean), August 17, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 17, 1995 - Place: Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean) - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29190 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA298 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29190/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA298 ## Probable cause the accidental discharge of a spear gun by the observer. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, hover - rotor system - foreign material/substance (cause) - equipment,other - inadvertent activation, other crewmember (cause) - Ditching, emergency landing - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was hovering 10 feet over a floating log that the observer was going to mark with a buoy using a spear gun. The observer accidently fired the spear into the main rotor blade system. The pilot was able to maintain aircraft control and made a successful ditching into rough seas. The aft extensions to the utility floats broke during the landing and the helicopter rolled over and sank. ## Factual narrative On August 17, 1995, at 1630 hours local time, a McDonnell Douglas 500 helicopter, N9213F, crashed into the Pacific Ocean 500 miles northwest of America Samoa. The aircraft sank and the two uninjured occupants escaped from the aircraft and were rescued a few hours later. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time. The helicopter was operated by the Starkist Foods Company, Terminal Island, California. The aircraft departed from the motor vessel AURO for a fish spotting mission. The pilot reported that he was investigating an object in the water that had the appearance of a log and was in the process of reporting and marking its location to the boat. The pilot was in a 10-foot hover over the log while the observer prepared to attach a marker buoy to the log using a spear gun. He reported that the observer accidently shot the spear into the main rotor blade system. The pilot was able to maintain control of the aircraft and made an emergency ditching into rough seas. The aft extensions to the utility floats broke on impact and the remaining floats were not able to keep the aircraft afloat. The helicopter rolled over on its side and sank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9213F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9213F-1997-02-24), registration cancelled 1997-02-24, S/N 840630S (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: 8406305 - Airframe hours: 6427 - Engines: ALLISON C-20 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: Caribbean Fishing Co.,Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 7, 1995, 47 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,399 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °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 19950817028589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950817028589A), Aug 17, 1995: Hughes 369HS, American Samoa, American Samoa, Destroyed. Fish spotting mission. Fired spear gun accidently into rotors during hover. Floats broke on water impact. Sank. ## Other investigations on N9213F (2) 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 MKC90LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA024), Nov 9, 1989: Mcdonnell Douglas 369HS (N9213F), Oklee, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: AN UNDETERMINED POWER PLANT FAILURE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN, SNOW, AND GUSTY WIND. - [NTSB CHI77FEC01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FEC01), Oct 21, 1976: Hughes 369HS (N9213F), Pickney, MI, substantial damage 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.