# Accident 20120930023619A: Robinson Helicopter R44, Nocona, TX, September 30, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 30, 2012, 17:49 local time
- Place: Nocona, TX
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Unknown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.8817° N, 97.6522° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8817&lon=-97.6522&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8341W, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8341W-2018-01-09) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 (registry code 7640120, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TI0-540 series (registry code 41533, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
- Reported engine: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 3
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN12LA669](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA669) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120930023619A

## Narrative

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

ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2012, AT APPROXIMATELY 1759 CST, A ROBINSON R-44 HELICOPTER, N8341W, CRASHED INTO LAKE NOCONA, TEXAS. THE PILOT WAS PROVIDING A FLIGHT OVER LAKE NOCONA FOR TWO FRIENDS WHO WERE PASSENGERS ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT.  THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE WATER AND SUNK TO A DEPTH OF APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET.  ALL THREE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO EGRESS AND SWIM TO SHORE WITH MINOR INJURIES.UPON ARRIVAL AT THE SHORELINE, THE PILOT DEPARTED THE SCENE AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO HIS FATHERS HOUSE BY TWO OTHER FRIENDS.  THE PASSENGERS REMAINED ON SCENE UNTIL LOCAL LAW ENFORCMENT ARRIVED.ON OCTOBER 3, 2012, THE NOCONA, TEXAS CITY MANAGER COORDINATED REMOVAL OF THE HELICOPTER FROM THE WATER.  THE HELICOPTER WAS TRANSPORTED VIA TRAILER TO A FACILITY AND SECURED UNTIL AN FAA REPRESENTATIVE COULD INVESTIGATE THE DAMAGE.  ON OCTOBER 9, 2012, AN FAA REPRESENTATIVE SURVEYED THE DESTROYED AIRCRAFT AND DOCUMENTED THE WRECKAGE ON FILM.  NO FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE ACCIDENT WAS AVAILABLE.

## 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 CEN12LA669](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA669), Sep 30, 2012: Robinson Helicopter R44 (N8341W), Nocona, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The noncertificated pilot’s operation of the helicopter, which resulted in impact with the water.

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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