# Accident 20061008021489A: Robsin R44, Sumner, WA, October 8, 2006

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 8, 2006, 16:00 local time
- Place: Sumner, WA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Hovering
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 47.2397° N, 122.1939° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2397&lon=-122.1939&mi=10
- Aircraft: N769RT, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N769RT-2011-08-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 (registry code 7640120, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (registry code 42353, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-f1b5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R44
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 157 total, 49 in this make and model, 49 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA07FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07FA006) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061008021489A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON 10-08-06 AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00 PM A ROBINSON HELICOPTER MODEL R44, N769RT, IMPACTED THE SURFACE OF LAKE TAPPS, NEAR SUMNER, WA AND SANK IN APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET OF WATER. THE PILOT RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES AND THE SOLE PASSENGER RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES.  THE FLIGHT WAS A 14 CFR PART 91 LOCAL FLIGHT LASTING APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR. THE AIRCRAFT WAS RETURNING TO THE AREA THAT IT HAD DEPARTED FROM EARLIER. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE VFR.

## 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 SEA07FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07FA006), Oct 8, 2006: Robinson R44 (N769RT), Sumner, WA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The complete loss of engine power, for undetermined reasons, while on final approach, and the pilot's loss of control of the helicopter after the power loss. Factors include a lake below the final…

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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