Robinson R-44 accident near Atlantic City, New Jersey, August 3, 2002
On August 3, 2002 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Robinson R-44 (helicopter), registered N44EK, was substantially damaged in an accident near Atlantic City, New Jersey (Steel Pier Heliport airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper flare during approach.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 3, 2002 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Atlantic City, New Jersey · Steel Pier Heliport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-44 · all R-44s on the register
- Registration
- N44EK · registry record · serial 0690C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that while on final approach to the heliport, the wind shifted, which resulted in a higher sink rate and ground speed. To compensate, the pilot flared "harder" than normal, and the tail rotor struck the heliport perimeter fence. The reported wind speed at an airport approximately 10 miles away was from 130 degrees at 8 knots, with no gusts.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,200 hours in all; 1,800 in this make and model; 75 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 5,950 as pilot in command; 3,500 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 9, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,006 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 12, 2002; 76 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Helicopter Services And Instruction
The flight
- Departed from: 92N Atlantic City NJ at 8:57 pm
- Destination: 92N NJ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 8:54 pm from ACY, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N44EK the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.