Accident Overview
On September 11, 2010, about 1500 Coordinated Universal Time, a Hughes OH-6A helicopter, registration N74LB, sustained substantial damage following a forced landing into the Pacific Ocean approximately 654 miles southeast of Majuro, Marshall Islands. The New Zealand certificated pilot sustained minor injuries; the passenger, a fish spotter, was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated by Jim’s Air Repair Inc, of Port Villa, Vanuatu, and was conducting a local aerial observation flight under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from a tuna fishing vessel about 55 minutes before the accident.
Events Leading to the Accident
According to a representative from the operator, the pilot and passenger/spotter were conducting fish spotting duties. The helicopter was in cruise flight at about 600 feet above the water when the pilot felt a vibration through the tail rotor pedals. The pilot descended to approximately 15 feet above the water; the helicopter then yawed to the right, contacted the water, and rolled upside down. Both the pilot and spotter successfully exited the helicopter and were later rescued by a fishing vessel.
Post-Accident Details
The spotter remained on the fishing vessel to convalesce but died the following day as a result of injuries sustained during the accident sequence. The tail boom and tail rotor assembly were not located and presumably sank. Sections of the fuselage and main rotor assembly were recovered but were disposed of prior to examination by FAA inspectors.
The fish spotter was a Philippine citizen employed by the Taiwanese registered fishing vessel. The mechanism of his injuries, detailed postaccident medical treatment, and postmortem information were not available.
The helicopter was substantially damaged. The accident occurred in daylight with no other known contributing factors.