# Accident 20150917016859A: Robinson Helicopter R44, Umnak Island, AK, September 17, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 17, 2015, 17:00 local time
- Place: Umnak Island, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 53.2239° N, 168.4322° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Umnak Island, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=53.2239&lon=-168.4322&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7162R, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7162R) (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: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 370 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150917016859A

## Narrative

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

AIRMEN WAS HERDING CATTLE ON UMNAK ISLAND ALASKA.  THE HELICOPTER WAS IN A FIFTEEN FOOT HOVER WHEN HE HEARD THE SOUND OF GRINDING METAL COME FROM THE REAR OF THE HELICOPTER.  THE AIRMEN PUSH THE COLLECTIVE DOWN; DURING DECENT HE MAINTAINED YAW CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER.

THE HELICOPTER LANDED ON IT SKIDS AND STAYED UPRIGHT; THE AIRMEN SHUT THE ENGINE OFF.  DURING THE EXTERNAL INSPECTION OF THE HELICOPTER THE AIRMEN SAID THE TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX HAD SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT.

## NTSB investigation

None matched to this report by aircraft and date. Search the NTSB's own records: https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search

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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