Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Netanya, Israel Iceland
Tuesady, November 24, 2009 12:22 UTC

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

On November 24, 2009, about 1222 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Robinson R44, 4X-BDM, crashed into the water near the shoreline at Netany Beach, Israel. TAMIR Airlines ltd was operating the helicopter under the provisions of the Israel Civil Aviation Regulations. The two pilots and two passengers were killed; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The cross-country flight was en route to Tel Aviv, Israel. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Preliminary information received from the Ministry of Transport, State of Israel, indicated that the helicopter was flying parallel to the shoreline, and about 300 meters offshore. Witnesses noted that the helicopter then made a right bank into the water. The accident is under the jurisdiction of, and is being investigated by, the State of Israel, Ministry of Transport, Aviation Incidents and Accidents Investigation (AIAI). Additional information can be obtained from the AIAI at: PO Box 8 Ben Gurion International Airport Israel, 70100 Telephone: 972-977-4600

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

Not Yet Reported

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 11/24/2009
Event Day of the Week Tuesday
Time of Event 1222
Event Time Zone Coordinated Universal Time? Same as GMT
Event City Netanya, Israel
Event State --
Event Country ICELAND
Zipcode of the event site --
Event Date Year 2009
Event Date Month 11
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 322000N
Event Location Longitude 0345000E
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
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 4
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All 4
Investigating Agency Foreign
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) --
NTSB Notification Source NTSB Comm Center
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Feb 22 2010 6:26PM
User who most recently changed record coos
Basic weather conditions --
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number --
NTSB Number WPR10WA070
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 None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name ROBINSON
Aircraft Model R44
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 0519
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 --
Aircraft Owner Name TAMIR Airlines ltd
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City --
Aircraft Owner State --
Aircraft Owner Country IS
Aircraft Owner Zipcode --
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 --
Operator City --
Operator State --
Operator Country IS
Operator Zip code --
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 --
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code --
Departure City Netanya
Departure State --
Departure Country IS
Departure Time --
Departure Time Zone UTC
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code --
Destination City Tel Aviv
Destination State --
Destination Country IS
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Feb 22 2010 5:24PM
User who most recently changed record coos
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location N/A
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight --
Air Medical Flight --
Medical Flight --