Bell 47-G5A accident near Kosrae, October 31, 1991
On October 31, 1991 at about 7:55 pm local time, a Bell 47-G5A (helicopter), registered N7162R, was destroyed in an accident near Kosrae (Ship Don Juan Z airport). It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE HELICOPTER RESULTING IN A TIEDOWN STRAP NOT BEING REMOVED FROM THE RIGHT SKID AND SUBSEQUENT ROLL OVER ON TAKEOFF.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 31, 1991 · about 7:55 pm local time
- Place
- Kosrae · Ship Don Juan Z
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47-G5A · all 47-G5As on the register
- Registration
- N7162R · registry record · serial 25071
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE CHIEF OFFICER OF THE FISHING VESSEL DON JUAN Z SAID THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS ATTEMPTING TO LIFT OFF THE HELIPAD AND SUDDENLY ROLLED TO THE LEFT, CRASHING INTO THE STARBOARD SIDE OF THE SHIP, THEN ROLLED INTO THE OCEAN INVERTED. THE HELICOPTER MECHANIC ASSIGNED TO THE SHIP SAID THAT THE STARBOARD TIEDOWN WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE RIGHT SKID OF THE HELICOPTER AS IT TRIED TO LIFT OFF. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT 0955 LOCAL SHIP TIME.
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: 3,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 8, 1991; 100 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,850 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-435-B1A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Don Juan Z Fishing CO.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 15 ft by 15 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
Other NTSB records under N7162R the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.