# Accident 20150715012479A: Robinson Helicopter R44, Sandusky, MI, July 15, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 15, 2015, 13:05 local time
- Place: Sandusky, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 43.4206° N, 82.8775° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4206&lon=-82.8775&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8337Z, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8337Z-2018-10-23) (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: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 550 total, 175 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA15CA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA227) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150715012479A

## Narrative

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

PILOT WAS TO LAND N8337Z IN THE FRONT YARD OF ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.  UPON LANDING ON A HEADING OF 220 - 240 AND AT ABOUT 10 - 20 FEET ABOVE GROUND, THE PILOT PEDAL TURNED LEFT, LANDED AND SHUT DOWN.  THE PILOT EXITED THE AIRCRAFT AND ENTERED ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.  ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ EMPLOYEES TOLD THE PILOT HE HIT POWER LINES.  THE PILOT WAS UNAWARE.  EMPLOYEES SAID THEY WOULD CALL POWER COMPANY.  PILOT EXITED THE BUSINESS, DID A WALK AROUND OF THE AIRCRAFT AND NOTED SOME TAILROTOR DAMAGE.  HE THEN DID A RUN UP WITH SOME PEDAL TURNS AND THEN TOOK OFF ON A NORTHEAST HEADING.  NO VIBRATION NOTED AND THEN LANDED 10 - 15 MINUTES LATER AT HIS RESIDENCE.

## 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 GAA15CA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA227), Jul 15, 2015: Robinson Helicopter R44 (N8337Z), Sandusky, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to monitor the landing environment while operating in a confined off-airport site resulting in a wire strike and substantial damage to the helicopter.

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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