Accident Details
A Hughes 269B helicopter ditched in the ocean following an inflight loss of control. The helicopter was in cruise flight at approximately 100 feet above the water when the pilot descended to about 20 feet and decelerated to roughly 20 miles per hour. The helicopter began to vibrate, and the main rotor RPM started to drop. The pilot turned right and increased the throttle, noting that manifold pressure increased commensurately, but the rotor RPM continued to decline. The pilot then lowered the collective in an attempt to regain main rotor RPM, but due to the low altitude, the helicopter descended into the water.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had accumulated 75 total hours in helicopters, including 40 hours in the accident helicopter make and model, and 30 hours as pilot in command.
Weather Conditions
The pilot reported that a tail wind existed when the loss of main rotor RPM occurred. Winds at the local airport, located 1.5 miles from the accident site, were reported from 110 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 29 knots at the time of the accident.