Robinson R44 N64JM

Summary

On 4 July 2011 at about 20:30 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N64JM, operated by Ocean Helicopter, was involved in an accident near Lakewood, New Jersey, United States. 2 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.

Date

4 July 2011 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Lakewood, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Lakewood Airport (N12)

Coordinates

40.0667, -74.1778

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N64JM

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Ocean Helicopter

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lakewood → Farmingdale

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA11LA380

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s inadequate yaw control of the helicopter while hovering.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that the helicopter was facing southeast and that the wind was from the southwest at 3 knots, resulting in a 90-degree right crosswind. As soon as the pilot lifted to a hover and began to move forward, the helicopter began to spin to the right. He applied full left pedal input, but the spin continued. He maneuvered the helicopter away from nearby aircraft and into a clear area where he executed a hovering autorotation. Upon touchdown, the skids spread, and the occupants exited the helicopter. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the tail rotor drive system components.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.