Bell 47G-5 accident near Pacific Ocean, PO, September 17, 1994
On September 17, 1994 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Bell 47G-5 (helicopter), registered N2280W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Pacific Ocean, PO. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
an in-flight collision with the water for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 17, 1994 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Pacific Ocean, PO
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 47G-5 · all 47G-5s on the register
- Registration
- N2280W · no longer on the register · serial 7970
- 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 ENGAGED IN FISH SPOTTING OPERATIONS AND FLYING OFF A KOREAN-OWNED TUNA VESSEL 'FIJO GLORIA.' THE OWNER OF FIRM WHICH OPERATES THE HELICOPTER REPORTED THAT HE SPOKE AT LENGTH WITH THE SHIP CAPTAIN AND OTHER CREW MEMBERS ABOUT THE ACCIDENT. THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED THE SHIP ABOUT 1500 HOURS LOCAL SHIP TIME FOR A FISH SPOTTING MISSION. ROUTINE COMMUNICATIONS WERE MAINTAINED BETWEEN THE SHIP AND THE HELICOPTER UNTIL THEY CEASED ABOUT 1600 HOURS. HELICOPTERS FROM OTHER FISHING VESSELS THEN REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER HAD CRASHED INTO THE OCEAN 17 MILES FROM THE SHIP. THE PILOTS OF THE OTHER HELICOPTERS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT FLY INTO THE WATER IN A SHALLOW DESCENT. WHEN THE SHIP ARRIVED AT THE CRASH SITE, THE HELICOPTER WAS FOUND UPSIDE-DOWN IN THE WATER. THE RIGHT SKID FLOAT WAS OBSERVED TO HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE HELICOPTER, WHILE THE LEFT FLOAT REMAINED ATTACHED. THE COCKPIT/CABIN AREA OF THE HELICOPTER WAS REPORTEDLY UNDAMAGED. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM BRITISH AUTHORITIES, THE PILOT WAS A BRITISH NATIONAL WHO WAS A FORMER ROYAL NAVY HELICOPTER PILOT.
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, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-435-B1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Ship Fijo Glori PO at 3:00 pm
- Destination: PO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.