Hughes 369 N104BN

Summary

On 28 December 2008 at about 05:45 local time, a Hughes 369 registered N104BN, operated by Oceanside Helicopters Inc., was involved in an accident near Honiara, Solomon Islands. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 December 2008 at 05:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Honiara, Solomon Islands

Coordinates

-9.2439, 154.8453

Aircraft

Hughes 369

Registration

N104BN

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Oceanside Helicopters Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Honiara → Honiara

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR09LA069

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to remove the tail rotor pedal lock before attempting flight, resulting in a loss of control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was being operated from a fishing vessel in open ocean waters. A witness, who was the mechanic for the helicopter, reported that the pilot forgot to remove the tail rotor pedal lock before takeoff. The helicopter lifted off and began to spin. The mechanic saw the pilot "trying to grab the pedal lock;" however, the pilot was unsuccessful. The helicopter impacted the water, the fixed floats separated, and the helicopter sank.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.