# Incident 20151130023529I: Beaumont, TX, November 30, 2015

- Type: FAA incident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 30, 2015, 12:45 local time
- Place: Beaumont, TX
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Location: 30.0860° N, 94.1018° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Beaumont, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0860&lon=-94.1018&mi=10
- Aircraft: ONE (not matched to a registry record)
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151130023529I

## Narrative

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

THIS INCIDENT IS BEING REPORTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SUBMITTAL OF A VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE REPORTING PROGRAM (VDRP) THEREFORE ANY CERTIFICATE HOLDER IDENTIFYING DATA HAS BEEN OMITTED FORM THIS REPORT.

ON NOVEMBER 30, 2015 THE PILOT OF A BELL HELICOPTER MODEL 407 REPORTED HAVING A TAIL ROTOR TYPE VIBRATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM THE CHRISTUS HOSPITAL HELIPAD LOCATED IN BEAUMONT TEXAS. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED WITHOUT ANY APPARENT AIRCRAFT DAMAGE OR INJURY TO CREW.

A COMPANY MECHANIC (DIFFERENT MECHANIC FROM WHO ORIGIONALLY PERFORMED THE MAINTENANCE)WAS DISPATCHED TO THE HELICOPTER. UPON REMOVAL OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVESHAFT COWLING, THE MECHANIC FOUND 1 BOLT MISSING  AND 1 BOLT LOOSE (FINGER TIGHT) ON THE #3 THOMAS COUPLING DISC PACK.

APPROXIMATELY 4 AIRCRAFT OPERATING HOURS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE #3 DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE PLAY FOUND DURING AN INSPECTION.  THE MECHANIC WHO ORIGIONALLY PERFORMED THE WORK STATED HE DID NOT HAVE HIS WORK LOOKED OVER PRIOR TO INSTALLING THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVESHAFT COWLING AND IT WAS APPARENT HE HAD LEFT THE TWO COUPLING BOLTS LOOSE.

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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