# NTSB LAX98LA079: Hughes 369D, N521ZZ, Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean), January 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 24, 1998 - Place: Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean) - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30026 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30026/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA079 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind condition and failure to maintain a proper rate of descent which resulted in the inadvertent loss of tail rotor effectiveness during a downwind turn. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - loss of tail rotor effectiveness, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water,rough ## Analysis The pilot and observer took off from the ship on an aerial observation flight to herd fish. The pilot climbed to about 400 feet, spotted fish, turned downwind, and descended into the prevailing 15-knot tailwind. Neither the descent nor the turn was arrested. The helicopter changed its heading 180 degrees, and the descent continued until the helicopter impacted the water. The helicopter sank and was not recovered. The operator reported that before the pilot died he stated that no engine problems had been experienced. The pilot indicated that he had erred in controlling the helicopter. ## Factual narrative On January 24, 1998, at 1300 hours Saipan standard time, a Hughes 369D, N521ZZ, operated by Big Eye Helicopters, Inc., Guam, crashed into international South Pacific Ocean waters approximately 300 miles east-northeast of the Solomon Islands. The helicopter sank in deep water, and no recovery attempt is anticipated. The commercial pilot succumbed to impact-related injuries, and the second crewmember was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the aerial observation flight. The flight originated from the vessel Fairwell 707 at 1259. According to the operator's manager, the pilot and observer took off in the helicopter without mishap and climbed to about 400 feet. The helicopter crew spotted fish near the bow of the vessel, and the pilot descended to commence a "herd" operation. During the descent, the pilot made a downwind turn in the prevailing 15-knot wind. As the helicopter continued its descent, it changed its heading 180 degrees and appeared to experience a loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). The descent was not arrested, and the helicopter impacted the water. One float broke off and the other was seriously damaged. Both crewmembers were rescued prior to the helicopter sinking to an estimated depth of 6,000 feet. The operator's manager further reported that before the pilot died he stated that no engine problems had been experienced. The pilot indicated that he had erred in controlling the helicopter. On January 28, 1998, the National Transportation Safety Board mailed the operator the required Aircraft Accident Report Form No. 6120.1/2 to complete. This written request was followed up with additional requests for information about the aircraft and accident. As of July 14, 1998, the operator has not responded. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N521ZZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N521ZZ-1998-04-01), registration cancelled 1998-04-01, S/N 970190D (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 369D - Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 970190D - Engines: Allison 250-C20B 375 lbs thrust turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: Big Eye Helicopter, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 817 total, 17 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 15 knots - 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 19980124000609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980124000609A), Jan 24, 1998: Hughes 369D, Pacific Ocean, BP, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On January 24, 1998, at 1300 hours saipan standard time, a hughtes 369D, N521ZZ, operated by big eye helicopters, inc., guam, crashed into international south… 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.