Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Jamestown, TN
On November 5, 2007, a Robinson Helicopter R44 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Jamestown, TN. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- November 5, 2007
- Place
- Jamestown, TN
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.426°N, 85.057°W
- NTSB ID
- 20071119X01805
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 5, 2007, at 1315 central standard time, a Robinson R44 Astro, N8356C, owned and operated by the commercial pilot as Fly-N-Dollar Helicopter Services, collided with trees and terrain after takeoff from a creek bed in Jamestown, Tennessee. The certificated commercial pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. A postimpact fire consumed the helicopter. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the commercial flight that was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to witnesses at the crash site, the helicopter was transporting investors in and out of a remote oil well site. The helicopter landed and departed from a creek bed oriented approximately north/south. The creek bed was about 70 feet wide, with cliffs and tall trees on both banks. A four-strand set of power lines crossed the creek, oriented approximately east/west, about 125 feet above the water. The witnesses stated that the helicopter's approach for its first landing was to the south, and that the helicopter passed beneath the power lines prior to landing. The helicopter's second approach to the creek bed was to the north, and it landed in the creek south of the wires. The witness accounts of the initial takeoff portion of the accident flight were consistent throughout. They all described the sound of the helicopter as "strong," "steady," and "normal." The helicopter departed to the north, climbed to approximately tree top height, and began a banking turn to the left to reverse direction. All of the witnesses described heari
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a known wire hazard during takeoff.
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Browse: Tennessee · Robinson aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
