N9227F
HUGHES 369C
THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT, WITH ONE PASSENGER, WAS ON A FLIGHT BETWEEN TWO TUNA FISHING VESSELS IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS. AS THE PILOT BEGAN A CLIMB FROM ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE WATER, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE CYCLIC CONTROL WAS BINDING IN ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS. THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO CLIMB UNTIL IT REACHED A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. THE PILOT APPLIED RUDDER PEDAL TO SWING THE NOSE DOWN. THE HELICOPTER THEN DESCENDED RAPIDLY TO THE SURFACE OF THE OCEAN WHERE A FLOAT ATTACHED TO THE LANDING GEAR SKID CONTACTED THE WATER. THE FLOATS WERE TORN OFF AND THE HELICOPTER CARTWHEELED AND SANK. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT RECOVERED.
THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER DUE TO A RESTRICTION OF THE CYCLIC CONTROL SYSTEM.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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