# Accident 20230709010329A: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Marble Falls, TX, July 9, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 9, 2023, 11:20 local time
- Place: Marble Falls, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 30.5703° N, 98.2633° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5703&lon=-98.2633&mi=10
- Aircraft: N163RK, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N163RK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (registry code 7640122, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-540 series (registry code 41530, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-540 SER
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 5,034 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 94 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR23LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA263) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230709010329A

## Narrative

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

WHILE PERFORMING POWERLINE INSPECTION AT 350 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL THE ENGINE FAILED. DURING THE DECENT THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK TEH POWER LINE RESULTING IN THE OUTER 2 INCHES BEING REMOVED FORM EACH BLADE. THE VERTICAL STABILIZER STRUCK THE GROUND CAUSING CRUSHING DAMAG AND THE SKIDS WERE SUBSTANTIALLY SPREAD. POST EXAMINATION REVEALED THE FUEL WAS CONTAMINATED WITH WATER AND AN UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE RED IN COLOR.

## 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 WPR23LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA263), Jul 9, 2023: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N163RK), Marble Falls, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination from an unknown source.

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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