# Accident 20020828026019A: Robsin R44, Winstanleylake, AK, August 28, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 28, 2002, 20:45 local time
- Place: Winstanleylake, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 55.4250° N, 130.8083° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.4250&lon=-130.8083&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7189T, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7189T-2017-06-01) (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
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 2
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC02FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02FA108) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020828026019A

## Narrative

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

(-23) NOTIFIED ON 8-29-02 OF N7189T R-44 ACCIDENT THAT MAY HAVE OCCURRED ON 8-28-02. 2 PERSONS ON BOARD WERE FOUND BY LOCAL OPERATOR UPSIDE DOWN IN LAKE. A/C WAS FLOATING BY THE FLOATS ATTACHED TO THE SKIDS. KVRS COULD NOT RECOVER BODIES UNTIL LATE 8-29-02. NTSB/FAA ATTEMPTED TO GET TO SITE ON FRIDAY 8-29-02 @ 1340 BUT COULD NOT GET IN DUE TO WX. STATE TROOPERS COULD NOT GET TO BODIES UNTIL 9-01-02. WAITING TO MOVE WRECKAGE TO KTN FOR EXAMINATION. PROCESSING OF ACCIDENT ONGOING. 09-24-02 MET NTSB, ROBINSON TECH, LYCOMING TECH IN KTN AT TEMSCO HANGER TO EXAMINE THE WRECKAGE. NO INDICATION OF MECHANICAL FAILURE AT THIS TIME. EMERGENCY PONTOONS NOT DEPLOYED BY PILOT, OTHER ITEMS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME.

## 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 ANC02FA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02FA108), Aug 29, 2002: Robinson R-44 (N7189T), Ketchikan, AK, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter in-flight due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with the surface of a lake. Factors…

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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