Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Jamestown, Tennessee, November 5, 2007
On November 5, 2007 at about 7:15 pm local time, a Robinson Helicopter R44, registered N8356C, was destroyed in an accident near Jamestown, Tennessee. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a known wire hazard during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 5, 2007 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Jamestown, Tennessee · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N8356C · no longer on the register · serial 0365
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter had performed two approaches to the creek bed earlier in the day. The creek bed was bordered by wooded, steep terrain on both sides, and a four-strand set of power lines crossed the creek perpendicular to the direction of travel. The wires and their proximity to the landing site in the creek were discussed with the pilot, both by passengers in the helicopter while in flight and with witnesses around the landing site. During the third takeoff from the creek bed, the helicopter climbed beneath the wires, and then reversed direction and collided with the lowest wire in the set. The helicopter then descended into the trees, collided with terrain, and caught fire. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any mechanical deficiencies. Examination of the rotorhead revealed a large diameter metal cable was coiled around the mast and swashplate, and wrapped over the rotorhead and blade grips.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 988 hours in all; 485 in this make and model; 288 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: May 25, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 950 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, November 4, 2007; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming I0-540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: Jamestown TN at 7:15 pm
- Destination: 8A3 Livingston TN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 6 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,800 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from CSV, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.