# NTSB LAX96LA111: Bell 47G-2A1, N6569H, Honiara, Solomon Islands, January 29, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1996
- Place: Honiara, Solomon Islands
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA111

## Probable cause

the pilot and the ship crew's failure to assure the tie down strap was removed prior to liftoff.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - ground tie-down rope/strap - not removed, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground tie-down rope/strap - not removed, ground personnel (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

The pilot lifted off from the ship with the right rear skid still attached with a tie down rope. The aircraft rolled to the right and impacted the water inverted, sinking immediately. The floatation devices on the skids separated during the impact sequence. The pilot and the aircraft were not recovered due to the depth of the water. The operator reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

On January 29, 1996, at 1000 hours local ship time near Honiara in the Solomon Islands, a Bell 47G helicopter, N6569H, attempted a takeoff from a ship on a fish spotting mission.  The aircraft rolled over on the starboard side of the ship and went into the ocean inverted.  The fixed floats were torn from the aircraft and it sank immediately.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the helicopter, was not recovered and is presumed to have been fatally injured.  The helicopter was not recovered due to the depth of the water.According to the operator, the right rear tie down strap for the right skid was not removed prior to liftoff.  There were no reported mechanical problems with the aircraft prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6569H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6569H-2015-08-04), registration cancelled 2015-08-04, S/N 3683, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 47G-2A1
- Registry model: [Bell TH-13T](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-th-13t) (registry code 1180813) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3683
- Airframe hours: 8132
- Engines: Lycoming VO-435 270 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hansen Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1995, 80 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,700 total, 470 in this make and model, 5,700 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- 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 19960129005889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960129005889A), Jan 29, 1996: Bell TH13T, Honiara, BP, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Rolled over attempting takeoff from ship helipad. Fell into ocean inverted. Sank. Rear tiedown strap not removed.

## Other investigations on N6569H (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 LAX95LA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA138), Mar 17, 1995: Bell 47 (N6569H), Harmon Field, substantial damage. Probable cause: an engine failure due to oil exhaustion from a missing oil pressure relief valve as the result of an improper maintenance inspection.

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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