# NTSB SEA83LA207: Hughes 500C, N9243F, Pelican, AK, September 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1983, 20:45 local (Sep 25, 1983, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Pelican, AK
- Coordinates: 57.949226, -136.110198 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.9492&lon=-136.1102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39775/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA207

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH GLASSY WATER DURING AN APPROACH TO LAND IN MARGINAL WEATHER ON A DARK NIGHT. THE ACFT WAS DAMAGEDAND SANK BUT THE OCCUPANTS ESCAPED WITH NO INJURIES. THE ACFT SANK IN WATER THAT IS OVER 60 FT DEEP. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE FLOWN ON A DARK NIGHT INTO MARGINAL WEATHER CONDITIONS. HE SAID THE VISIBILITY WAS ABOUT 3 MILESIN RAIN AND FOG AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9243F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 500C
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 714S
- Airframe hours: 3242
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 278 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Temsco Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1983, 30 hours before
- Departed: PEC, PELICAN, AK
- Destination: YAKOBI ISLAND, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,115 total, 1,470 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 244 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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