What happened
On September 11, 2010, at approximately 1500 UTC, a Hughes OH-6A helicopter, registration N74LB, performed a forced landing into the Pacific Ocean approximately 654 miles southeast of Majuro, Marshall Islands. The aircraft was being operated by Jim’s Air Repair Inc for fish-spotting duties, flying from a tuna fishing vessel under 14 CFR Part 91 regulations.
During the flight, which was conducted in visual meteorological conditions with 10-mile visibility, the pilot was cruising at approximately 600 feet above the water when a vibration was felt through the tail rotor pedals. The pilot descended to roughly 15 feet above the water surface. At that altitude, the helicopter yawed to the right, struck the water, and rolled upside-down.
The pilot and the passenger/spotter managed to exit the aircraft and were subsequently rescued by a fishing vessel. The pilot sustained minor injuries, but the passenger sustained 1 fatal injury, dying the following day.
The investigation
The tail boom and tail rotor assembly of the aircraft were not recovered and are presumed to have sunk. While portions of the fuselage and the main rotor assembly were retrieved, these components were disposed of before FAA inspectors could perform an examination.