# Accident 20020803037699A: Robsin R44, Atlantic City, NJ, August 3, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 3, 2002, 17:00 local time
- Place: Atlantic City, NJ
- Airport: Steel Pier Heliport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Pwr On Vertical Ldng/Rtrcrft
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: E0KA
- Location: 39.3547° N, 74.4175° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3547&lon=-74.4175&mi=10
- Aircraft: N44EK, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44EK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 (registry code 7640120, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R44
- Reported engine: LYC O540F1B5
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC02LA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA157) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020803037699A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) DURING AN APPROACH TO LANDING AT HTE ATLANTIC CITY STEEL PIER HELIPORT, A ROBINSON R-44, N44EK, TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE HELIPAD PERIMETER SAFETY NET, CAUSING THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX TO SEPARATE FROM THE AIRCRAFT. PART OF THE ROTOR SHEARED OFF AND WAS FOUND ACROSS THE HELIPAD. THE PILOT, MR. DARYL M. DAVIS, EXECUTED THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE AND LANDED THE A/C. THE HELICOPTER ROTATED ABOUT IT'S VERTICAL AXIS ONCE, THIS WAS DUE TO THE TORQUE OF THE MAIN ROTOR AND THE LOSS OF TAILROTOR AUTHORITY. THERE WERE TWO PASSENGERS ON BOARD, FOR A SIGHTSEEING RIDE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE A/C HAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ THIS MATTER IS CLOSED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC02LA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA157), Aug 3, 2002: Robinson R-44 (N44EK), Atlantic City, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper flare during approach.

## Other reports on N44EK (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20170224018929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170224018929A), Feb 24, 2017: Robinson Helicopter R44 (N44EK), Chatham, NJ, Substantial damage. Aircraft was picked up in richmond, VA (kfci) after completion of major maintenance and engine overhaul. Aircraft stopped in millville, NJ (kmiv) to top off…
- [Accident 20051218033589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051218033589A), Dec 18, 2005: Robsin R44 (N44EK), Linden, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) Instructor and student were climbing out in an R-44 helicopter to practice right traffic maneuvers at Linden Airport. Passing 200' the student said he…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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