Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Boonsboro, MD
On July 24, 2009, a Robinson Helicopter R44 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Boonsboro, MD. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 24, 2009
- Place
- Boonsboro, MD
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 39.541°N, 77.606°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090724X05537
Official records · ERA09FA417
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 23, 2009, at 2226 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N7189W, was substantially damaged when it struck a guy-wire and impacted the ground while in cruise flight near Boonsboro, Maryland. The certificated commercial pilot and three passengers were killed. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The flight originated from Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR), Hagerstown, Maryland, and was en route to Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK), Frederick, Maryland, when the accident occurred. The helicopter was based at FDK and maintained by Advanced Helicopter Concepts (AHC), an operator of five Robinson R22 helicopters. The helicopter was privately owned by a trustee of Advanced Helicopter Youth Foundation, a non-profit charity founded by the President of AHC. According to witnesses, on the day of the accident, the helicopter flew from FDK to HGR, to transport a Director of Advanced Helicopter Youth Foundation, and another passenger to a business association meeting. In addition, the pilot was scheduled to give rides in the helicopter, in conjunction with that meeting. The pilot and the third passenger were employees of AHC. The helicopter arrived at HGR at approximately 1812. It was originally scheduled to arrive at 1630, but was delayed due to weather. The pilot then gave rides in the helicopter, until about 2000. The rides consisted of a flight around the traffic pattern and lasted less than 5 minutes each. After the business meeting
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper decision to depart on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight at night in adverse weather conditions in close proximity to rising mountainous terrain in a helicopter that was only certified to be operated under VFR and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate clearance with wires.
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Browse: Maryland · 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.
