# Accident 20090723012859A: Robsin R44, Smithsburg, MD, July 23, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 23, 2009, 22:26 local time
- Place: Smithsburg, MD
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.5414° N, 77.6064° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5414&lon=-77.6064&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7189W, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7189W-2010-04-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 (registry code 7640120, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R44
- Reported engine: LYC O540F1B5
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 4
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 630 total, 0 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA09FA417](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA417) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090723012859A

## Narrative

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

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.

## 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 ERA09FA417](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA417), Jul 24, 2009: Robinson Helicopter R44 (N7189W), Boonsboro, MD, substantial damage, 4 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper decision to depart on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight at night in adverse weather conditions in close proximity to rising mountainous terrain in a helicopter that was only…

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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