Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Saint Marc
Tuesady, November 18, 2008 10:00 EST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

On November 18, 2008, about 1000 eastern standard time, a Robinson R44 Helicopter, with United States registration N72BS, was substantially damaged upon impact with terrain following a loss of control, near Saint Marc (Lubin), Haiti. The United States licensed pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was fatally injured. The helicopter registered to and operated by Meridian Helicopters, Inc., Carson City, Nevada. This investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Haiti. Further information may be obtained from: Office National de l' Aviation Civile (OFNAC) Route de l' Aeroport Port-au-Prince, Haiti Telephone: (509) 250-0052 Fax: (509) 250-0998 This report is for informational purposes only and contains information released by or obtained for the Government of Haiti.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

Not Yet Reported

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 11/18/2008
Event Day of the Week Tuesday
Time of Event 1000
Event Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
Event City Saint Marc
Event State --
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site --
Event Date Year 2008
Event Date Month 11
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude --
Event Location Longitude --
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport --
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Unknown
Time of the weather observation
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) --
Weather Observation Facility ID --
Elevation of weather observation facility --
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) --
Time Zone of the weather observation --
Lighting Conditions --
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions --
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling --
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) --
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) --
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) --
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) --
Variable Wind Indicator --
Wind Speed (knots) --
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator --
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) --
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Fatal
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal 1
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All 1
Investigating Agency Foreign
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) --
NTSB Notification Source Office of National Civil Aviat
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Mar 10 2009 4:54PM
User who most recently changed record gamw
Basic weather conditions --
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N72BS
NTSB Number CEN09WA074
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Non-U.S., Non-Commercial
Type of Flight Plan filed Unknown
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion --
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY
Aircraft Model R44 II
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 10336
Certified Max Gross Weight --
Aircraft Category Helicopter
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 4
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection --
Date of Last Inspection --
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours --
ELT Installed Unknown
ELT Activated Unknown
ELT Aided Location of Event Site Unknown
ELT Type Unknown
Aircraft Owner Name MERIDIEN HELICOPTERS LLC
Aircraft Owner Street Address 1802 N CARSON ST STE 212
Aircraft Owner City CARSON CITY
Aircraft Owner State NV
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 89701-1230
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name --
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address 1802 N CARSON ST STE 212
Operator City CARSON CITY
Operator State NV
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 89701-1230
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Unknown
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code MTPP
Departure City Port au Prince
Departure State --
Departure Country HA
Departure Time --
Departure Time Zone --
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code MBPV
Destination City --
Destination State --
Destination Country TK
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Mar 10 2009 4:52PM
User who most recently changed record gamw
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location --
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --