Haiti crash

[Gyrocopter1]

Did anyone know the person from Naples Fl. that owned the R44 that crashed on the border between Haiti and tjhe Domican Republic. The Pilot was from Ft.MeyersFl. Did anyone know the pilot?

[bking]

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/feb/05/Naples-fort-myers-killed-helicopter-crash-haiti/ http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/83675692.html

[Gyrocopter1]

Does the FAA have any jurisdiction when there is an incindent in an other country? As cause of crash mechanical or otherwise?

[Hognose]

Does the FAA have any jurisdiction when there is an incindent in an other country? As cause of crash mechanical or otherwise?

The FAA has no jurisdiction in crashes even in the USA. The National Transportation Safety Board has jurisdiction here. It can, however, authorize FAA officials to investigate on its behalf, and usually does on non-type-certified aircraft in the USA.

Aircraft in foreign countries are investigated by their own nations' air or transportation safety boards. Canada has the TSB, Britain the AAIB, and so forth. These nations often ask for investigative help from the manufacturer of the aircraft and its systems (engines, etc), and poorer nations often ask for help from the nation of origin. So an N-numbered helicopter down in, say, Colombia would probably be investigated by the Colombian authorities with a little help, but an aircraft crash in a poorer nation like the DomRep, the DR authorities may ask the US to come and investigate for them.

If the accident is in Haiti, well Haiti is very nearly anarchic even when the capital hasn't been leveled by a terrible earthquake. I don't believe there's any law on the ground right now except for foreign military services and foreign armed security contractors.

It is far too early to speculate over what may have contributed to or caused this accident. We don't know enough from these news reports to make informed speculation.

cheers

-=K=-

[bking]

The NTSB may look into it since the PIC had previous history not to long ago. Oct 15 09 on a ranch in Labelle,FL. With a serious injury involved Also a Robbie 44 NTSB Identification: ERA10LA019

[bking]

NTSB Identification: ERA10WA133
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, February 04, 2010 in Restauracion, Dominican Republic, Dominican Republic
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II, registration: N7535F
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
On February 4, 2010, about 1940 Atlantic standard time, a Robinson R44II helicopter, N7535F, impacted the side of Mount Jina Mocha, in the city of Restauracion, Dominican Republic, at night, while en route from Port Au Prince, Haiti to Cibao International Airport, Santiago, Dominican Republic. The pilot and passenger were killed. The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces and post impact fire.