# NTSB LAX96LA149: Bell 47G-4A, N99138, Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean), November 2, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 2, 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 November 11, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29402 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29402/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA149 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain lateral control of the helicopter, while hovering in preparation for a precautionary landing next to a ship at sea. Factors relating to the accident were: the passenger's premature evacuation from the helicopter, and the resultant lateral imbalance of the helicopter as the passenger jumped. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, hover - in ground effect - rotorcraft flight control system,primary servo - failure (contributing factor) - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command - evacuation - premature, passenger (contributing factor) - aircraft weight and balance - excessive (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Roll over, hover - in ground effect ## Analysis The helicopter was being flown from a fishing vessel during a fish spotting operation. The pilot reported that shortly after liftoff from the ship, he experienced a hydraulic failure. The seas were reported as high, and the pilot did not feel he could safely return to the pitching and rolling ship deck without hydraulic assist. He decided to land the float equipped helicopter in the water next to the ship. While hovering just above the water, the spotter unexpectedly jumped out of the helicopter without permission from the pilot. This resulted in a sudden imbalance, and the pilot lost control of the helicopter. The helicopter then rolled over, collided with the water, and sank. ## Factual narrative On November 2, 1995, about 1000 hours local ship time, a Bell 47G-4A helicopter, N99138, collided with the Pacific Ocean about 800 miles east of Guam, MP, while attempting a precautionary return to the tuna fishing vessel MV Milagros Z. The aircraft was operated by Z Fishing Company of Pita, Guam, MP, and was engaged in fish spotting operations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was destroyed. Neither the certificated commercial pilot nor the spotter was injured. The flight originated from the ship about 5 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported to his insurance company adjuster that shortly after liftoff he experienced a hydraulic failure. The seas were reported as high, and the pilot did not feel he could safely return to the pitching and rolling ship deck without hydraulic assist. He decided to land in the water next to the ship. While hovering just above the water, the spotter jumped out of the helicopter without permission from the pilot. The sudden imbalance caused the pilot to lose control of the helicopter and it rolled over, collided with the water and sank. The pilot did not report the accident to either the Safety Board or to the FAA. The accident was reported by the insurance company adjuster on March 16, 1996. To date, the pilot has not responded to repeated written requests to complete a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N99138](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99138-1998-10-13), registration cancelled 1998-10-13, S/N 7750 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 47G-4A - Registry model: [Bell 47G-4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g-4a) (registry code 1181031) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 7750 - Airframe hours: 5777 - Engines: Lycoming VO-540-B1B3 290 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Z Fishing Company - Registered owner: Big Eye Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 11, 1995, 25 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - 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 19951102046959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951102046959A), Nov 2, 1995: Bell 47G4A, Pacific Ocean, Guam, Destroyed. Fish spotting. After liftoff ship pad hydraulic failure. In hover next to ship spotter jumped out. 47 rolled over. (.19) on November 2, 1995, about 1000 hours… 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.