# Accident 20190820016829A: Robinson Helicopter R44, Cypress Island, WA, August 20, 2019

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 20, 2019, 19:05 local time
- Place: Cypress Island, WA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 48.6083° N, 122.7161° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6083&lon=-122.7161&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7186P, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7186P-2021-08-07) (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: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 3
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 11,000 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA19CA509](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA509) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190820016829A

## Narrative

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

WHILE OPERATING LOW OVER THE WATERS OFF CYPRESS ISLAND, THE HELICOPTER MAIN ROTOR STRUCK A TREE LIMB PROJECTING OUT FROM THE NEARBY SHORE. AS A RESULT, THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN APPROXIMATELY FOUR FEET OF WATER JUST OFF THE BEACH ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ISLAND. THE PILOT AND ALL PASSENGER WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER HAD NO MORE THAN MINOR INJURIES WHILE THE SECOND PASSENGER SUFFERED A BONE FRACTURE, OTHER THAN A SIMPLE FRACTURE.

## 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 GAA19CA509](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA509), Aug 21, 2019: Robinson R44 (N7186P), Cypress Island, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a tree while maneuvering at a low altitude.

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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