Bell 47-G5A accident near Pago Pago, PO, June 21, 1992
On June 21, 1992 at about 5:20 pm local time, a Bell 47-G5A (helicopter), registered N211CB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Pago Pago, PO. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION IN FAILING TO ENSURE THAT ALL SKID TIEDOWNS WERE REMOVED PRIOR TO THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 21, 1992 · about 5:20 pm local time
- Place
- Pago Pago, PO
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47-G5A · all 47-G5As on the register
- Registration
- N211CB · registry record · serial 25073
- 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 OPERATED FROM A HELIPAD ON THE FISHING VESSEL M/V KALI FOR FISH SPOTTING MISSIONS. THE SHIP WAS IN THE TERRITORIAL WATERS NEAR PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA AND THE TIME LISTED ABOVE FOR THE ACCIDENT IS LOCAL SHIP TIME. DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON ITS LEFT SIDE; HOWEVER, IT REMAINED ON THE SHIP DURING THE ENTIRE SEQUENCE. SHIP CREWMEN WHO WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT REPORTED THAT THE LEFT REAR SKID WAS STILL TIED DOWN TO THE HELIPAD PLATFORM WHEN THE HELICOPTER ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF. THE SHIP SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE DECK AND BULWARK PLATES.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 10,700 hours in all; 875 in this make and model; 90 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days; 10,150 as pilot in command; 700 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (invalid medical for flight)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 2,850 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-B1 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Zeta Fishing Company
The flight
- Departed from: NONE at 5:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 325° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.