# Accident 20051218033589A: Robsin R44, Linden, NJ, December 18, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 18, 2005, 12:00 local time
- Place: Linden, NJ
- Airport: Linden Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Pwr Off Vert Land/Autorotate
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.6172° N, 74.2444° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6172&lon=-74.2444&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
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,918 total, 300 in this make and model, 90 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC06LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06LA035) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051218033589A

## Narrative

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

(-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 FELT A VIBRATION, THEN THE "LOW ROTOR/RPM HORN AND LIGHT" CAME ON. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL, SENSED THE LOSS OF POWER, AND AUTO ROTATED INTO A VACANT CONSTRUCTION SITE. THE SITE WAS MUDDY AND THE LEADING EDGES OF THE SKIDS DUG INTO THE TURF, ROCKING THE CRAFT FWD AND BACK. THE TURNING/TRAILING ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE REAR BOOM AND VIRTUALLY SEVERED IT (MAST DAMPENING). NO DAMAGE TO PERSONS OR OTHER PROPERTY. IT IS VIEWED THE INSTRUCTOR ACTED PRUDENTLY. NO ENFORCEMENT ACTION PLANNED.

## 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 NYC06LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06LA035), Dec 18, 2005: Robinson R44 (N44EK), Linden, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## 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 20020803037699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020803037699A), Aug 3, 2002: Robsin R44 (N44EK), Atlantic City, NJ, Substantial damage. (-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,…

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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