Robinson R-44 N44EK
3 August 2002 · Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 3 August 2002 at about 21:00 local time, a Robinson R-44 registered N44EK, operated by Helicopter Services and Instruction, was involved in an accident near Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 21:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
- Nearest airport
- Steel Pier Heliport (92N)
- Coordinates
- 39.3547, -74.4175
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-44
- Registration
- N44EK
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Helicopter Services and Instruction
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Other Work Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Atlantic City → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC02LA157
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Probable cause
The pilot's improper flare during approach.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot stated that while on final approach to the heliport, the wind shifted, which resulted in a higher sink rate and ground speed. To compensate, the pilot flared "harder" than normal, and the tail rotor struck the heliport perimeter fence. The reported wind speed at an airport approximately 10 miles away was from 130 degrees at 8 knots, with no gusts.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R-44 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 May 2002 | Robinson R-44 | Cantwell, Alaska, United States | U.s. Geological Survey | No injuries | - |
| 29 Aug 2002 | Robinson R-44 | Ketchikan, Alaska, United States | David Zampino | Fatal | 2 |
| 26 Jun 2002 | Robinson R-44 | Shageluk, Alaska, United States | Quicksilver Air, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 28 Jun 2002 | Robinson R-44 | Catamara, Ecuador | Colaereos S.a. | Serious injuries | - |
| 21 Feb 2002 | Robinson R-44 | Verona, Italy | Euram Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 7 Jun 2002 | Robinson R-44 | Galena, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 May 2002 | D'apuzzo D-260 | Andover, New Jersey, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 2002 | Piper PA-24-260 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 16 Nov 2002 | Mooney M10 | Fairfield, New Jersey, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 12 Nov 2002 | Cessna 182P | Lincoln Park, New Jersey, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 24 Mar 2002 | Cessna 172P | Ocean City, New Jersey, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Jul 2002 | Wehrlen GLASSAIR II RG | Jackson, New Jersey, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |