# Accident 20020626012749A: Robsin R44, Shageluk, AK, June 26, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 26, 2002, 11:00 local time
- Place: Shageluk, AK
- Airport: Shageluk Airport
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: QOFA
- Location: 62.4667° N, 159.5600° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4667&lon=-159.5600&mi=10
- Aircraft: N144AK, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N144AK-2003-01-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 (registry code 7640120, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R44
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC02LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA061) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020626012749A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE WAS RETURNING TO PICK UP A CREW AT A REMOTE SITE APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN SM* SOUTH OF SHAGELUK. THE AIRCRAFT CROSSED A 600 FOOT RIDGE, DESCENDED, COMPLETED A 180 DEGREE LEFT TURN AND ROLLED LEVEL. HE BELIEVED HIS ALTITUDE WAS 200 FEET ABOVE A SMALL LAKE. THE PILOT LOOKED DOWN TO LOCATE THE CARBURETOR HEAT AND THEN LOOKED UP AND OUTSIDE THE AIRCRAFT JUST PRIOR TO STRIKING THE SURFACE OF THE LAKE. HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED UP ON THE COLLECTIVE BUT WAS UNABLE TO PREVENT THE HELICOPTER FROM HITTING THE SURFACE OF THE LAKE. ESTIMATED AIRSPEED WAS 20 KIAS. THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR AND THERE WAS A LOUD BANG. THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE ROTOR RPM BLED OFF RAPIDLY. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED FIRST TO THE LEFT AND THEN TO THE RIGHT, COMING TO REST ON THE RIGHT SIDE, PARTIALLY SUBMERGED IN 9 FEET OF WATER. *SM STANDS FOR STATUE MILES.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC02LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA061), Jun 26, 2002: Robinson R-44 (N144AK), Shageluk, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's diverted attention.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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