Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Oshkosh, WI
On June 9, 2018, a Robinson Helicopter R44 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Oshkosh, WI. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 9, 2018
- Place
- Oshkosh, WI
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 44.017°N, 88.549°W
- NTSB ID
- 20180609X45235
Official records · CEN18FA215
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn June 9, 2018, at 1229 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N529DW, was substantially damaged when it collided with wires during a low-level flight in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by MF Helicopters LLC as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 aerial photography flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed near the accident site at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated about 1226 from a field near the accident site and was en route to Wittman Field (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The helicopter was engaged in aerial photography operations for a boating event on Lake Winnebago. The helicopter was operating from a field on the Fox River, about 1/2 mile southeast of the accident site. The pilot and a photographer were airborne for about 1 1/2 hours flying at low altitude over a series of lakes and waterways while photographing the event. The photographer stated that he and the pilot flew over several bridges and sets of power lines during the flight, and they discussed that many of the bridges had power lines near them. He stated that there were no problems with the helicopter during their flight. The pilot then dropped off the photographer at the field before departing for OSH to refuel. A surveillance camera captured the helicopter flying northwest when it struck wires that crossed a river. The video showed the helicopter pitching up as it struck the wires. The tail rotor separated from the helicopter and the helicopt
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to fly over the river at a low altitude and his failure to maintain clearance with wires during low-level flight.
More accidents in WI
- Douglas DC-9-14, Sep 6, 1985
- Beech 200, Nov 16, 1987
- Piper PA-28-140, Feb 3, 1991
- Piper PA-32R-300, Aug 19, 1990
- Cessna 421C, Jul 1, 2017
Browse: Wisconsin · 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.
