# Accident 20040228011559A: Robsin R44, Burlington, WI, February 28, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 28, 2004, 11:45 local time
- Place: Burlington, WI
- Airport: Burbun Vor/Dme
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Running(Helicopter/Vtol Ac)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.6906° N, 88.3044° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6906&lon=-88.3044&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7184G, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7184G) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 (registry code 7640120, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540F1 SERIE (registry code 41531, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540f1-serie) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R44
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 323 total, 74 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI04LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA079) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040228011559A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON FEBRUARY 28, 2004, AT 1145 CST A ROBINSON, R-44 ROTORCRAFT, N7184G, STRUCK AND SEVERED AN ELECTRICAL POWER WIRE ADJACENT TO A REFUELING TANK, DURING TAKEOFF IN BURLINGTON, WI. THE PRIVATE PILOT, ROTORCRAFT RATED PILOT WAS NOT INJURED AND ONE PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED AS A PLEASURE FLIGHT UNDER 14 CFR PART 91 WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED IN BURLINGTON, WI AT APPROXIMATELY 1145 CST. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PILOT DID NOT SEE THE POWER WIRES DURING HIS LANDING NOR DURING GROUND REFUELING. THE WIRES WERE 25 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND ATTACHED TO A POLE APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET FROM THE FUEL TANK. AFTER REFUELING THE PILOT LIFTED OFF AND WHEN HE ROTATED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE OVERHEAD WIRES AND PULLED THE ROTORCRAFT BACKWARDS. THE MAIN ROTOR HIT & SEVERED AN ADJACENT UTILITY POLE AND THE ROTORCRAFT DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD NEVER SEEN POWER WIRES ACROSS A TAXIWAY AND HE FELT THE WIRES SHOULD HAVE BEEN BURIED UNDERGROUND. SEE ATTACHED MAP.

## 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 CHI04LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA079), Feb 28, 2004: Robinson R44 (N7184G), Burlington, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and his failure to obtain/maintain clearance from the transmission wire during the takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were the transmission wire and…

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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