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Loss of tail rotor effectiveness

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NTSB defining event · CICTT: Loss Of Control (Inflight)

CICTT occurrence categories (PDF)CICTT phases of flight (PDF)

All 77 cases100 anywhere in the sequence
Defining event in
77 cases
In the sequence of
100 cases
Fatal cases
8
NTSB code
242

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008. Earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes, so they aren’t counted here.

When and where

In green, cases where it was the defining event; in gray, cases where it came elsewhere in the sequence. The map shows the cases where it was the defining event. Events are coded with the final report, so the latest years are incomplete.

Cases per year

2008Defining eventElsewhere in the sequence2026

Where

Open the map
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT year(c.\"eventDate\") AS year, count(DISTINCT e.case_mkey) AS cases,
    count(DISTINCT e.case_mkey) FILTER (WHERE e.\"isDefiningEvent\") AS defining
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c.\"mKey\" = e.case_mkey
  WHERE e.\"tier2Number\" = '242' AND e.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE \"isDefiningEvent\")
  GROUP BY 1
  ORDER BY 1"

Prints the counts as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

In these cases

Phase of flight
  • Maneuvering-hover17
  • Maneuvering-low-alt flying15
  • Landing11
  • Maneuvering11
  • Approach-VFR pattern final5
  • Approach5
  • Takeoff3
  • Enroute2
  • Initial climb2
  • Taxi2
In the probable cause
Aircraft models

Aircraft matched to the registry by N-number and date.

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "WITH defining AS (SELECT * FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE \"tier2Number\" = '242' AND \"isDefiningEvent\")
  SELECT * FROM (
  SELECT 'Phase of flight' AS kind, e.\"tier1Number\" AS code, max(e.\"eventTier1Name\") AS name, count(DISTINCT e.case_mkey) AS cases
  FROM defining e
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Finding in the probable cause', left(f.\"findingCode\", 8), max(f.\"tier4Name\"), count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey)
  FROM defining e JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f ON f.case_mkey = e.case_mkey AND f.aircrafts_position = e.aircrafts_position AND f.\"inProbableCause\"
  WHERE f.\"findingCode\" GLOB '[0-9][0-9]*'
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Aircraft model', a.aircraft_model_code, any_value(concat_ws(' ', m.manufacturer, m.model)), count(DISTINCT e.case_mkey)
  FROM defining e JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = e.case_mkey AND a.position = e.aircrafts_position
  LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_model.parquet' m ON m.code = a.aircraft_model_code
  WHERE a.aircraft_model_code IS NOT NULL
  GROUP BY ALL
  )
  QUALIFY row_number() OVER (PARTITION BY kind ORDER BY cases DESC) <= 10
  ORDER BY kind, cases DESC"

Prints the counts as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

Newest cases · 77

NTSB ERA26LA094Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSled Thomas Helicycle · Mobile, ALThe pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control during a crosswind approach, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, an uncommanded spin, hard landing, and subsequent rollover.Jan 8, 2026 · N3722T · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25LA059Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · Lakeland, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control during a tailwind approach, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, an uncommanded spin, and subsequent hard landing.Nov 21, 2024 · N422RH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24LA243Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Cottonwood, AZThe pilot’s low-speed, high-power maneuvering in high density altitude and near maximum gross weight, which resulted in an uncommanded right yaw due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a subsequent hard landing.Jul 13, 2024 · N473E · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA205Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350B3 · Plant City, FLThe pilot’s inadequate yaw control of the helicopter while maneuvering at a low altitude and airspeed, which resulted in a hard landing.May 1, 2024 · N413JM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA078Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 · Boulder City, NVThe pilot’s failure to apply anti-torque pedal input in a sufficient, timely, and sustained manner while attempting to arrest a turn during a hover-taxi, which resulted in a loss of directional control. Contributing to the severity of the occupants’ injuries…Dec 28, 2022 · N835GC · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22LA326Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHelicopteres Guimbal Cabri G2 · Madison, ILLoss of tail rotor effectiveness resulting in an in-flight loss of control.Jul 19, 2022 · N457PA · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA101Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas 500N · Newport Beach, CAThe helicopter’s encounter with unanticipated right yaw during a low-altitude, low-airspeed, tight-radius orbit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction during the orbit, which resulted in the loss of control, his fatigue due to his early…Feb 20, 2022 · N521HB · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22FA086Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell 206B · Livingston, TXThe pilot exceeding the yaw control capability of the helicopter for the flight conditions, resulting in a non-mechanical loss of tail rotor effectiveness.Dec 30, 2021 · N8AU · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22LA009Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · Gonzales, LAThe student pilot’s failure to compensate for an unanticipated right yaw, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and helicopter control.Oct 6, 2021 · N373SP · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21LA357Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEnstrom F28 · Toughkenamon, PAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during an out-of-ground effect hover in a gusty wind, due to loss of tail rotor effectiveness.Sep 8, 2021 · N51789 · Substantial damage
See all 77 cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT e.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e WHERE e.\"isDefiningEvent\" AND e.\"tier2Number\" = '242')
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.