# Loss of tail rotor effectiveness

- Type: NTSB defining event
- NTSB code: 242
- CICTT category: Loss Of Control (Inflight)
- Defining event in: 77 cases
- In the sequence of: 100 cases
- Fatal cases: 8
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/cases.md
- Cases with it anywhere in the sequence: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242

## Cases per year (defining / in the sequence)

- 2008: 7 / 10
- 2009: 3 / 3
- 2010: 2 / 2
- 2011: 5 / 7
- 2012: 3 / 5
- 2013: 8 / 9
- 2014: 7 / 8
- 2015: 4 / 7
- 2016: 6 / 8
- 2017: 10 / 11
- 2018: 2 / 4
- 2019: 5 / 6
- 2020: 1 / 2
- 2021: 7 / 8
- 2022: 3 / 4
- 2024: 3 / 4
- 2025: 0 / 1
- 2026: 1 / 1

## Phase of flight

- Maneuvering-hover: 17 cases
- Maneuvering-low-alt flying: 15 cases
- Landing: 11 cases
- Maneuvering: 11 cases
- Approach-VFR pattern final: 5 cases
- Approach: 5 cases
- Takeoff: 3 cases
- Enroute: 2 cases
- Initial climb: 2 cases
- Taxi: 2 cases

## In the probable cause of these cases

- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 50 cases
- [Prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052) (Aircraft): 25 cases
- [Yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024) (Aircraft): 20 cases
- [Directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020) (Aircraft): 14 cases
- [Tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015) (Environmental issues): 12 cases
- [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 6 cases
- [Gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045) (Environmental issues): 5 cases
- [Identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510) (Personnel issues): 5 cases
- [Incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015) (Personnel issues): 5 cases
- [Performance/control parameters, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000) (Aircraft): 5 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b): 12 cases
- [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii): 8 cases
- [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta): 5 cases
- [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c): 3 cases
- [Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2](https://openairdocs.org/model/helicopteres-guimbal-cabri-g2): 2 cases
- [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44): 2 cases
- [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 500N](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-helicopter-500n): 2 cases
- [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-helicopter-369e): 2 cases
- [Brantly B-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/brantly-b-2b): 2 cases
- [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1): 2 cases

## Newest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA094), Jan 8, 2026: Sled Thomas Helicycle (N3722T), Mobile, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The 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.
- [NTSB ERA25LA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA059), Nov 21, 2024: Bell 206B (N422RH), Lakeland, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The 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.
- [NTSB WPR24LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA243), Jul 13, 2024: Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E (N473E), Cottonwood, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The 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…
- [NTSB ERA24LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA205), May 1, 2024: Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 (N413JM), Plant City, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate yaw control of the helicopter while maneuvering at a low altitude and airspeed, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR23LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA078), Dec 28, 2022: Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 (N835GC), Boulder City, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The 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…
- [NTSB CEN22LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA326), Jul 19, 2022: Helicopteres Guimbal Cabri G2 (N457PA), Madison, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness resulting in an in-flight loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR22FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA101), Feb 20, 2022: Mcdonnell Douglas 500N (N521HB), Newport Beach, CA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The 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…
- [NTSB CEN22FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA086), Dec 30, 2021: Bell 206B (N8AU), Livingston, TX, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot exceeding the yaw control capability of the helicopter for the flight conditions, resulting in a non-mechanical loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB CEN22LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA009), Oct 6, 2021: Bell 206 (N373SP), Gonzales, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to compensate for an unanticipated right yaw, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and helicopter control.
- [NTSB ERA21LA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA357), Sep 8, 2021: Enstrom F28 (N51789), Toughkenamon, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The 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.

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted.

Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1).

NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names.

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