On September 4, 1983, a Hughes 369HS (registration N8500N) operated by Jaime Font & Mbk,inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Ventura, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter was observed descending 'straight down' and 'nose first' offshore near Ventura, California. The wreckage came to rest about 200 yards offshore in 30 feet of water. Witnesses said it was dark and hazy with visible aircraft lights but no stars. The pilot did not hold a rotorcraft-helicopter rating.
Accident Details
A helicopter was observed descending vertically and nose-first into the ocean. The wreckage was located approximately 200 yards offshore in water about 30 feet deep.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses reported that the conditions were dark and hazy. They were able to see the aircraft's lights but could not see stars in the sky.
Pilot Information
The pilot did not hold a rotorcraft-helicopter rating. According to acquaintances, the night over-water flight was habitual for the pilot, who regularly flew between his two businesses in Ventura, California, and Goleta, California.
An X-AIR HAWK ultralight crashed in Chonburi, Thailand, killing the pilot and injuring a passenger. The accident was caused by deteriorated wing fabric and…
A Challenger II Special ultralight aircraft (U-B23) landed off-runway at Pai Airport, Mae Hong Son, on September 17, 2024, due to a gust of wind. No injuries…
The Polish aviation safety authority is investigating a serious incident involving an AT-3R100 aircraft that occurred on September 2, 2024. The investigation…
A SZD-48-3 glider suffered damage when its left wing struck a ground obstacle during a low final approach at EPWK on June 20, 2025. The pilot was uninjured.
A 39-year-old skydiver died after a hard landing near Leszno on May 1, 2026. The PKBWL preliminary report indicates the fatal impact resulted from a late,…
A student pilot crashed an SZD-50-3 Puchacz glider into the airfield fence during a solo training flight on June 6, 2026. The pilot was uninjured, but the…