# Accident 20081102851919A: Robsin R44, Gallatin, TN, November 2, 2008

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 2, 2008, 18:12 local time
- Place: Gallatin, TN
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.3364° N, 86.4381° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3364&lon=-86.4381&mi=10
- Aircraft: N300FX, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N300FX-2013-07-29) (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
- Reported engine: LYC O540F1B5
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 180 total, 30 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA09FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA036) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081102851919A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON NOVEMBER 02, 2008 AT APPROXIMATELY 6:05PM CST THE STUDENT PILOT DEPARTED LEBANON TENNESSEE (M54) AIRPORT FOR A SOLO NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY TO CORNELIA FORT AIRPARK (M88).  THE PLANNED ROUTE WAS TO FOLLOW THE RIVER, THIS ROUTE WAS FOLLOWED THE PREVIOUS FRIDAY WITHOUT INCIDENT.  THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT TIME HAD CHANGED AND DARKNESS WAS ONE HOUR EARLY THEN THE PREVIOUS FRIDAYS FLIGHT.  THE PILOT WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE ROUTE IN AS MUCH HIS FARM WAS ON THIS RIVER, OR ACCIDENT FLIGHT PATH.  THIS PLAN FLIGHT TOOK HIM OUTSIDE OF NASHVILLE TENNESSEE AIRPORT AREA OF OPERATION.  THE BODY FLOATED UP 8 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND 15 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT DATE.  THE WRECKAGE WAS 55 FEET DEEP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CUMBERLAND RIVER.  THE AIRCRAFT HAD SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, TAIL BOOM AND ROTOR WAS IN WORKING CONDITION.  THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE ANY MAJOR INJURIES, RESULTS WERE DETERMINED AS DROWNING.

## 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 ERA09FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA036), Nov 3, 2008: Robinson R-44 (N300FX), Gallatin, TN, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent descent into water as a result of the dark night and limited outside visual references.

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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