What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
On July 23, 2009, approximately 1030 eastern daylight time (EDT), a Robinson R-44 helicopter, registration N7189W, registered to marsan aviation incorporated, operated by the advanced helicopter youth foundation was destroyed when it impacted power lines that crossed the eastbound lanes of I-70 and fell to the ground on the eastbound lanes of I-70 at mile marker 37, near Smithsburg, Maryland. The pilot and three passengers suffered fatal injuries. The aircraft was operating in visual flight conditions under 14 code of federal regulations part 91. Weather at the time of the accident was reported to be VFR, however witnesses reported fog at the accident site.
As the FAA filed it
ON JULY 23, 2009, APPROXIMATELY 1030 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME (EDT), A ROBINSON R-44 HELICOPTER, REGISTRATION N7189W, REGISTERED TO MARSAN AVIATION INCORPORATED, OPERATED BY THE ADVANCED HELICOPTER YOUTH FOUNDATION WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT IMPACTED POWER LINES THAT CROSSED THE EASTBOUND LANES OF I-70 AND FELL TO THE GROUND ON THE EASTBOUND LANES OF I-70 AT MILE MARKER 37, NEAR SMITHSBURG, MARYLAND. THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATING IN VISUAL FLIGHT CONDITIONS UNDER 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 91. WEATHER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO BE VFR, HOWEVER WITNESSES REPORTED FOG AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.