# Accident 20080822857739A: Robins R44, Illiamna, AK, August 22, 2008

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 22, 2008, 18:30 local time
- Place: Illiamna, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: UPXC
- Location: 59.2356° N, 155.2261° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.2356&lon=-155.2261&mi=10
- Aircraft: N291VB, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N291VB-2008-10-15) (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: ROBINS R44
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 2,252 total, 640 in this make and model, 324 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC08CA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA112) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080822857739A

## Narrative

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

PILOT WAS ENROUTE FROM BASE CAMP TO A DRILLING SITE TO MOVE A GROUND CREW.  AS HE APPROACHED A 70 FOOT DRILLING TOWER ALONG HIS ROUTE HE COLLIDED WITH A 3/8 INCH CABLE THAT HAD BEEN PULLED OUT OF THE WELL AND STRUNG FROM THE TOP OF THE DRILLING TOWER ACROSS THE TUNDRA.  THE PILOT STATES HE WAS FLYING APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.  THE GROUND CREW AT THE DRILLING WELL WAS IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING OUT THE CABLE.  THE PILOT WAS AWARE OF THE CABLE BEING OUT OF THE WELL, BUT HAD BEEN TOLD IT WAS STRETCHED OUT ACROSS THE TUNDRA.

## 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 ANC08CA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA112), Aug 23, 2008: Robinson R44 (N291VB), Iliamna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to see a wire cable prior to colliding with it. Factors contributing to the accident were the non-routine positioning of the wire cable, and the ground crew's failure to advise…

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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