Hughes 369C accident near Pacific Ocean, PO, April 10, 1992
On April 10, 1992, a Hughes 369C (helicopter), registered N8311F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Pacific Ocean, PO. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
AN UNDETERMINED FAILURE IN THE ROTOR SYSTEM.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 10, 1992
- Place
- Pacific Ocean, PO
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Hughes 369C · all 369Cs on the register
- Registration
- N8311F · registry record · serial 460806S
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER WAS COMPLETING AN AERIAL OBSERVATION FLIGHT (FISH SPOTTING) OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN NEAR THE ISLAND OF CANTON AND WAS LANDING ON THE SHIP'S HELIPAD. WHEN THE SKIDS TOUCHED DOWN, THE ROTOR MAST ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE ROTOR MAST BASE CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO TURN TO THE LEFT 90 DEGREES. THE ROTOR MAST ASSEMBLY AND ALL ITS COMPONENTS FELL INTO THE OCEAN AND WERE NOT RECOVERED. THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY ABNORMAL CYCLIC MOVEMENTS OR ANY UNUSUAL VIBRATIONS BEFORE THE OCCURRENCE. THE HELICOPTER HAD ACCRUED 328.5 HOURS SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION. A 300-HOUR AND A 100-HOUR INSPECTION HAD RECENTLY BEEN COMPLETED. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE ROTOR MAST BASE FRACTURE SURFACES REVEALED OVERLOAD CHARACTERISTICS WITH SOME POST FRACTURE MECHANICAL SMEARING AND DAMAGE. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY CORROSION OR FATIGUE WAS FOUND. THE HARDNESS MEASUREMENTS COMPLIED WITH THE MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS.
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
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,013 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 1, 1992; 42 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Voyager, INC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 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.
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.