Mcdonnell Douglas 500 accident near Chuuk Island, PO, December 29, 1994
On December 29, 1994 at about 1:15 am local time, a Mcdonnell Douglas 500 (helicopter), registered N9128F, was destroyed in an accident near Chuuk Island, 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
undetermined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 29, 1994 · about 1:15 am local time
- Place
- Chuuk Island, PO
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas 500
- Registration
- N9128F · registry record · serial 720398S
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT AND AN OBSERVER DEPARTED THE SHIP FOR A FISH-SPOTTING MISSION. WHEN THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT HIS POSITION, THE SHIP RETURNED TO THE LAST KNOWN POSITION AND FOUND VARIOUS DEBRIS FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THERE WERE NO DISTRESS RADIO CALLS FROM THE PILOT. THE OPERATOR REPORTED NO KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE GOOD VISIBILITY WITH LIGHT WINDS.
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: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,800 hours in all; 5,064 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection; 850 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Hoffman Helicopters, INC.
The flight
- Destination: PO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 3:15 pm
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 N9128F 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.