N9213F

On August 17, 1995, at 1630 hours local time, a McDonnell Douglas 500 helicopter, N9213F, crashed into the Pacific Ocean 500 miles northwest of America Samoa. The aircraft sank and the two uninjured occupants escaped from the aircraft and were rescued a few hours later. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time. The helicopter was operated by the Starkist Foods Company, Terminal Island, California. The aircraft departed from the motor vessel AURO for a fish spotting mission.

The pilot reported that he was investigating an object in the water that had the appearance of a log and was in the process of reporting and marking its location to the boat. The pilot was in a 10-foot hover over the log while the observer prepared to attach a marker buoy to the log using a spear gun. He reported that the observer accidently shot the spear into the main rotor blade system. The pilot was able to maintain control of the aircraft and made an emergency ditching into rough seas. The aft extensions to the utility floats broke on impact and the remaining floats were not able to keep the aircraft afloat. The helicopter rolled over on its side and sank.