Robinson R22 accident near Arlington, WA
On October 24, 2017, a Robinson R22 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Arlington, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- October 24, 2017
- Place
- Arlington, WA
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 48.148°N, 122.017°W
- NTSB ID
- 20171025X21112
Official records · WPR18FA016
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn October 24, 2017, about 1315 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22 Alpha helicopter, N8537J, was substantially damaged following impact with water while performing a low-level maneuver at King Lake near Arlington, Washington. The commercial pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was owned by the pilot who was operating it as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which departed the pilot's residence, located about 1,350 ft south-southwest of the accident site, about 5 minutes before the accident. In a postaccident telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the passenger reported that he arrived at the pilot's residence about 1200 on the day of the accident, after which he and the pilot discussed going for a flight in the accident helicopter if the weather was good. After the pilot assessed that the weather was fine, he stated that they would be flying to the Arlington Airport to get fuel. The pilot then went out, looked over the helicopter, and prepared for the flight. After both he and the pilot secured their seat belts and shoulder harnesses, the pilot started the engine and let it warm up; then they departed. He said that, after circling the pilot's residence, the pilot brought the helicopter to a hover close to their departure point, where the pilot's wife took some pictures of them before giving them a thumbs-up. The pilot the
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the water while maneuvering at low altitude.
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Browse: Washington · 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.
