# NTSB NYC06LA035: Robinson R44, N44EK, Linden, NJ, December 18, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 18, 2005, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Linden, NJ - Coordinates: 40.617221, -74.244445 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6172&lon=-74.2444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62866 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06LA035 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62866/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06LA035 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - muddy ## Analysis The Robinson R-44 helicopter experienced a loss of engine power on the initial climb after takeoff, during an instructional flight. The certified flight instructor (CFI) conducted an autorotation to a nearby construction site; however, the helicopter's skids dug into the muddy ground, and the main rotor blades contacted the tail boom. Examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The CFI reported 1,920 hours of total flight experience, which included about 300 hours in the accident helicopter make and model. ## Factual narrative On December 18, 2005, about 1220 eastern standard time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N44EK, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from Linden Airport (LDJ), Linden, New Jersey. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The CFI reported that as the helicopter climbed after takeoff, it began to vibrate and experience a loss of engine power. The CFI conducted an autorotation to a nearby construction site that was located about 1/4 mile from the approach end of runway 27. During the autorotation, the helicopter's skids dug into the muddy ground, and the main rotor blades contacted the tail boom. Review of maintenance records revealed that the helicopter had been operated for about 20 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed on November 10, 2005. Subsequent examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, and other maintenance personnel did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The CFI reported 1,920 hours of total flight experience, which included about 300 hours in the accident helicopter make and model. The reported temperature and dew point at an airport about 5 miles northeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was 37 and 21 degrees F; respectively. Review of a carburetor icing probability chart placed the reported temperature and dew point in the "serious icing - glide power" range of the chart. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44EK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44EK), registered now, S/N 0690 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R44 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 690 - Airframe hours: 1361 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Echo Kilo, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2005, 20 hours before - Departed: LDJ, Linden, NJ - Destination: LDJ, Linden, NJ - Airport: LDJ, Linden, runway 27, 4,137 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 39; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2005; seat: right; flight hours: 1,920 total, 300 in this make and model, 90 in the last 90 days - Student pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 20 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.45 inHg - Observed at: EWR, 5 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20051218033589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051218033589A), Dec 18, 2005: Robsin R44, 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… ## Other investigations on N44EK (2) 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… - [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. 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. --- 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.