# NTSB GAA19CA509: Robinson R44, N7186P, Cypress Island, WA, August 21, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 20, 2019, 19:30 local (Aug 21, 2019, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Cypress Island, WA - Coordinates: 48.608333, -122.71611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6083&lon=-122.7161&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 27, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - NTSB case key (mKey): 100133 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA509 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100133/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100133 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA509 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a tree while maneuvering at a low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he began a right orbit off the shore of an island about 20 ft above the water. During the maneuver, the helicopter drifted and struck a tree leaning over the water. The helicopter subsequently lost altitude, impacted the water, and came to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he began a right orbit off the shore of an island, about 20 ft above the water. During the maneuver, the helicopter drifted and struck a tree leaning over the water. The helicopter subsequently lost altitude and came to rest on its right side after it impacted the water. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact malfunction or failures that would have precluded normal operations. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7186P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7186P-2021-08-07), registration cancelled 2021-08-07, S/N 0611, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R44 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-F1B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-f1b5) (registry code 42353, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0611 - Year built: 1999 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Peregrine Air LLC - Registered owner: Peregrine Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 11,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KORS, 10 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20190820016829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190820016829A), Aug 20, 2019: Robinson Helicopter R44, Cypress Island, WA, Destroyed. 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… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 20, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100133. 201 KB in all. - Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483883&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement%20-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483884&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.