# Accident 20180609015409A: Robinson Helicopter R44, Oshkosh, WI, June 9, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 9, 2018, 12:25 local time
- Place: Oshkosh, WI
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: MFHJ
- Location: 44.0172° N, 88.5494° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0172&lon=-88.5494&mi=10
- Aircraft: N529DW, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N529DW-2018-11-28) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 (registry code 7640120, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (registry code 42353, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-f1b5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-540-F1B5
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor, private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 548 total, 548 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN18FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA215) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180609015409A

## Narrative

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

AFTER DROPPING OFF A PASSENGER, A ROBINSON R44 ROTORCRAFT, N529DW, DEPARTED A LANDING AREA AJACENT THE FOX RIVER IN DOWNTOWN OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN TO FLY TO OSHKOSH WITTMAN REGIONAL AIRPORT FOR REFUELING. AFTER DEPARTURE, THE HELICOPTER FLEW LOW ABOVE THE RIVER, PITCHED UP, AND CONTACTED A STATIC WIRE ON TOP OF SEVERAL ELECTRICAL WIRES THAT CROSSED THE RIVER AT APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET AGL. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED VERTICALLY AND IMPACTED THE WATER 150 FEET WEST OF THE STATIC WIRE AND SANK TO A DEPTH OF 26 FEET. DAYTIME VMC CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED 180 FEET OF 3/8 INCH CABLE WRAPPED AROUND THE HELICOPTER.

## 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 CEN18FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA215), Jun 9, 2018: Robinson Helicopter R44 (N529DW), Oshkosh, WI, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to fly over the river at a low altitude and his failure to maintain clearance with wires during low-level flight.

## Other reports on N529DW (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20171212023009I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171212023009I), Dec 12, 2017: Robinson Helicopter R44 (N529DW), Fort Myers, FL, Minor damage. On December 12, 2017, at 0655 EST a Robinson Helicopter, model R44, N529DW that is registered to mf helicopters LLC., had an engine power problem during cruise…

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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