Hughes 500C accident near Pohnpei, PO, February 18, 2000
On February 18, 2000 at about 11:08 am local time, a Hughes 500C (helicopter), registered N437DS, was destroyed in an accident near Pohnpei, PO. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 18, 2000 · about 11:08 am local time
- Place
- Pohnpei, PO
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 500C
- Registration
- N437DS · no longer on the register · serial 530476S
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he and the observer were planning to conduct tuna spotting operations. This was to be the first flight of the day. After takeoff, about 100 to 150 feet above sea level, the helicopter began an uncommanded right turn, followed by an uncontrollable right spin. The helicopter spun several times then impacted the water. The two right landing gear legs collapsed and the helicopter rolled onto its right side and sank. The pilot and observer both exited without any difficulties and were rescued by the ship's crewmembers. The pilot reported that he hadn't noted any unusual noises or vibrations prior to the accident. The helicopter mechanic witnessed the accident from the ship's deck. He saw the helicopter takeoff and begin spinning to the right. He didn't note any unusual noises or see any components separate from the helicopter.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 8,774 hours in all; 1,100 in this make and model; 166 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,300 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 2, 2000; 453 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 5 knots
- Sky: not recorded; not recorded
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.