History of Flight
On November 2, 2008, at approximately 1812 central standard time, a Robinson R-44 helicopter (N300FX) was substantially damaged when it impacted the Cumberland River in Gallatin, Tennessee. The solo instructional flight, operated by Noble Aviation LLC under Part 91, departed Lebanon Municipal Airport (M54) at 1800 en route to Cornelia Fort Airpark (M88). Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed.
Witnesses near the river reported hearing the helicopter around 1810. One witness described two distinctive "Wap Wap" sounds followed by silence. Another heard a "metal to metal" sound and thought her boat dock was struck, but no damage was found. Radar data showed the helicopter flying to the river, following its left turn, crossing the SR 109 bridge, and then disappearing. No altitude data was recorded.
The pilot was recovered on November 11, 2008; the main wreckage was located on November 16 and recovered on November 18.
Personnel Information
The 43-year-old private pilot held a certificate for airplane single-engine land, issued August 4, 2005, and a third-class medical certificate issued August 26, 2008, with no restrictions. He reported 180 civilian flight hours. According to his flight instructor, the pilot departed at 1805 for a solo night flight to fulfill helicopter add-on requirements; it was his second and final solo night flight to meet a 5-hour requirement. He had flown the same route on October 31, 2008, beginning at 1800, for 2.6 hours.
Aircraft Information
The four-seat, single-engine helicopter (2001 model) was powered by a Lycoming O-540-F1B5 260-hp engine. Its most recent annual inspection was October 1, 2008; total time was 685.0 hours, with 27.0 hours since inspection.
Meteorological Information
The nearest reporting station (Nashville International Airport, 22 miles away) reported wind variable, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 14°C, dew point 6°C, altimeter 30.26 inHg. Nautical twilight ended at 1746; the moon was in crescent phase.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The helicopter was found submerged in about 16 feet of water and recovered in two pieces: the cabin with main rotor system and the tail boom with tail rotor. Examination on May 12, 2009, at Atlanta Air Recovery revealed extensive damage: the nose and chin area bore the brunt of impact; the front cabin was separated but tethered by cables; the roof, windshields, and doors were detached; the aft bulkhead was folded. The main fuel tank had a puncture; the auxiliary tank was separated and dented. Control continuity was confirmed for main rotor, but tail rotor controls had two overload separations at the tailcone break. The engine was attached; rotation confirmed continuity, compression, and suction; magnetos sparked; carburetor had water but no fuel; fuel strainer contained water. No pre-impact anomalies were found.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy on November 12, 2008, by the Tennessee Department of Health reported the cause of death as probable drowning with minor blunt trauma injuries. Forensic toxicology on tissue specimens revealed ethanol, N-propanol, and N-butanol; no fluids were available.