# Accident 20170224018929A: Robinson Helicopter R44, Chatham, NJ, February 24, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 24, 2017, 18:25 local time
- Place: Chatham, NJ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.7394° N, 74.3883° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7394&lon=-74.3883&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: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-540
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,200 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA17LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA116) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170224018929A

## Narrative

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

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 WITH 100LL FUEL AND DEPARTED KMIV ENROUTE TO LINCOLN PARK, NJ (N07).  APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES SOUTH OF MORRISTOWN, NJ (KMMU), WHILE IN CONTACT WITH KMMU TOWER, PILOT REPORTED LOSS OF POWER AND WAS "GOING TO MAKE AN AUTOROTATION." THE  AIRCRAFT LANDED IN A PARKING GARAGE AREA OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX IN CHATHAM BOROUGH, NJ. THE TAIL BOOM SEPARATED FROM AIRCRAFT, AND THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED THE GROUND WITH HIGH VERTICAL FORCES, WHICH SPLAYED AIRCRAFT SKIDS.

## 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 ERA17LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA116), Feb 24, 2017: Robinson Helicopter R44 (N44EK), Chatham, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: Maintenance personnel's improper installation and inspection of the crankshaft gear bolt during major overhaul, which resulted in the crankshaft gear disengaging from the accessory gears of the…

## Other reports on N44EK (2)

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

- [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…
- [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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.