Robinson R22 N8537J

Summary

On 24 October 2017 at about 20:15 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N8537J was involved in an accident near Arlington, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 October 2017 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Arlington, Washington, United States

Coordinates

48.1478, -122.0167

Aircraft

Robinson R22

Registration

N8537J

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1984

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Arlington → Arlington

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR18FA016

1 person died.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the water while maneuvering at low altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot and passenger departed in the helicopter from the pilot's residence near a lake. Two witnesses who lived near the accident site saw the helicopter flying fast over the trees from the south side of the lake to the north. One of the witnesses reported that the helicopter "swooped" down over the lake and flew over the water past their house. Shortly thereafter, the helicopter's skids touched the water and the helicopter impacted the lake. The passenger reported that the pilot descended close to the water and hovered while the passenger took pictures. The helicopter subsequently dipped to the right, followed by the main blades hitting the water; the helicopter descended into the lake and rolled onto its right side before beginning to sink. The helicopter sank in about 31 ft of water subsequent to impact. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot misjudged the helicopter's height above the water while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in impact with the water.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.