Synopsis
On February 4, 2010, at approximately 7:15 p.m., a Robinson R44 II helicopter, registration N7535F, serial number 10459, crashed in a wooded, mountainous area of Los Quemados, in the municipality of Restauración, Dajabón Province, Dominican Republic. The aircraft was conducting humanitarian aid flights between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Both occupants, a US pilot and a US passenger, were fatally injured, and the helicopter was completely destroyed by impact and post-crash fire.
Flight History
The helicopter had flown from the United States to support humanitarian operations in Haiti, coordinated by the ILAC mission (Center for Integral Health Education) based in Licey al Medio, Santiago, Dominican Republic. The operation used Jimaní Province as a staging area. On February 3, 2010, the aircraft departed Jimaní for Licey al Medio around 5:00 p.m., but due to adverse weather over the central mountain range, it diverted and landed in San Juan de la Maguana for the night. The next day, it returned to Jimaní, flew to Leogane, Haiti, for operations, then back to Licey al Medio. At approximately 2:30 p.m., it departed Licey al Medio for Jimaní, but changed its flight plan to go directly to Leogane. Around 6:30 p.m., it departed for Santiago, and while en route, it crashed in a mountainous area.
Weather
A specific meteorological report for the accident area was not available from the Dominican National Meteorological Office (ONAMET). Witnesses reported reduced visibility due to sunset and light drizzle in the area.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a US commercial pilot license for single-engine airplanes and private pilot privileges for helicopters. He was born on October 10, 1966, and his most recent medical examination was on October 13, 2009. His total flight time was 3,500 hours as of that date.
Aircraft Information
The helicopter was a Robinson R44 II, manufactured in 2004. It was powered by a Textron Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 engine. Total airframe time at the time of the accident was 149 hours.
Wreckage and Impact
The aircraft was totally destroyed by the impact and subsequent fire. Wreckage was scattered over an area approximately 15 meters in diameter. Examination of the wreckage indicated that the helicopter had considerable forward speed at impact, with the main rotor blades showing deformation and compression consistent with high-speed rotation. The static stops on the mast were destroyed, characteristic of the main rotor hub striking the mast under high RPM. The engine fan wheel showed deformations from impact and high RPM.
Medical and Pathological Information
Autopsies conducted by the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) of the Northern Region revealed that both occupants died from severe blunt force trauma. The pilot, aged 43, sustained multiple fractures and lacerations. The passenger, aged 53, also sustained multiple fractures and organ lacerations. Toxicological tests on the pilot detected no alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, carbon monoxide, or pesticides. Passenger samples were not suitable for testing. Both deaths were ruled accidental.
Survival
Due to the nature of the impact, neither occupant survived. Local authorities, including medical examiners, the Red Cross, Civil Defense, and the Dominican Army, recovered the bodies and secured the area until the arrival of the Dominican Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Commission (CIAA).