ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 58819
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| Date: | 19-FEB-2009 |
| Time: | 16:53 LT |
| Type: |  Robinson R44 II |
| Owner/operator: | Atlantic Suntoys Corp. |
| Registration: | HP-AM3 |
| MSN: | 11442 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Tocumen Int'l Airport -
 Panama
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Non-Scheduled/charter/Air Taxi |
| Departure airport: | Miraflores, Panama |
| Panama-Albrook Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (PAC/MPMG)) | |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
On February 19, 2009, at 21:52 UTC (Universal Coordinated Time)(16:53 local time), a Robinson R44, Panamanian registration HP-AM3, was destroyed when it exploded in flight and impacted the parking lot at Tocumen International Airport (PTY), Tocumen, Panama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured.
According to a report by a friend of the pilot (see link #7):
" Robinson R44 Accident Panama 2/19/09 3 fatalities
My good friend of 40+ years was the pilot in this one. He was an excellent pilot - the best. Early reports are that the R44 caught fire at 800 ft altitude, over Panama City International Airport. There may have been an explosion. Two passengers. One passenger and two suitcases exited the copter before it hit the ground, and many meters from impact. Impact was by the approach road to the terminal. There were witnesses, so the account should get filled in.
For Gary to go, it had to be a fatal mech failure of some kind. He was a very cautious and skilled pilot. The best I ever knew. He gave me my first flying lesson in 1968.
Since there are no other incidents I could find of in-flight fires for the R44, and Gary was so careful with maintenance, preflight inspections, and piloting, I even wonder if there was some foul play? It would not have been directed at Gary personally. Perhaps his passengers. Everybody liked and respected Gary Vaucher. I look forward to a detailed investigation of the accident remains and circumstances."
Sources:
NTSB
2. http://www.aeronautica.gob.pa/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=619&Itemid=1
3. http://www.aeronautica.gob.pa/accind/documents/0AM3.pdf
4. http://helihub.com/2009/02/19/19-feb-09-hp-am3-robinson-r44-tocumen-international-airport-panama/
5. http://pictures.reuters.com/archive/PANAMA--GM1E52K0P3T01.html
6. http://pictures.reuters.com/archive/PANAMA--GM1E52K0OM601.html
7. https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/363066-robinson-r44-accident-panama-19th-feb-09-3-fatalities.html
8. http://www.laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=14088&ArticleId=328123
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 27-Feb-2009 00:02 | harro | Added |
| 13-Jun-2009 04:39 | Rotorspot | Updated |
| 12-Feb-2018 18:09 | harro | Updated [Time, Cn, Operator] |
| 05-Nov-2018 01:49 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Time, Location, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 22-Nov-2019 09:34 | TB | Updated [Location] |
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