NTSB investigations

77 cases where the defining event was Loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 77 cases
20087
20093
20102
20115
20123
20138
20147
20154
20166
201710
20182
20195
20201
20217
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20243
20261

Latest 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.

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 damageNTSB GAA21WA247Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · ForeignEnstrom 280FX · Llanfachreth, United KingdomAug 25, 2021 · G-OJBB · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA253Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer TH55A/269A · Monroe, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control during landing which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.Jun 3, 2021 · N41G · Substantial damageNTSB CEN21LA153Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEurocopter EC130 · Tulsa, OKThe pilot’s improper decision to approach the airport and enter a low altitude hover with a gusting quartering tailwind, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during a turn at a low altitude.Feb 25, 2021 · N259AM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA093Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Queen Creek, AZThe pilot's uncoordinated flight control inputs while entering a hover, which lead to a loss of aircraft control which resulted in the left skid making contact with the ground, causing the helicopter to roll on its side.Jan 22, 2021 · N90TG · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20LA273Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAerospatiale AS355 · Rifle, COA loss of tail rotor effectiveness, the pilot’s subsequent loss of helicopter control, and collision with terrain.Jul 11, 2020 · N708AC · DestroyedNTSB WPR20WA081Accident · Minor injuriesForeign investigationOas UH-1H · Williamtown Aerodrome, AustraliaThe government of Australia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a OAS UH-1H helicopter that occurred on December 07, 2019. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Australia's investigation under the…Dec 7, 2019 · VH-OXI · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19LA285Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEnstrom F28 · Bloomsburg, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain proper forward airspeed and power during final approach, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and impact with terrain.Sep 28, 2019 · N380SH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR19LA205Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportMd Helicopter 369 · Eugene, ORThe left seat pilot’s failure to account for environmental conditions conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and subsequent loss of control.Jul 28, 2019 · N438RC · Substantial damageNTSB GAA19CA463Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 269A · Springfield, TNThe pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control and a loss of tail rotor effectiveness while hover-taxiing and turning toward a taxiway in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.Jul 24, 2019 · N269RR · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19LA171Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206 · New York, NYThe pilot's failure to compensate for adverse wind on final approach, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and aircraft control.May 15, 2019 · N26BB · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18LA314Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAirbus EC 130 T2 · Mullen, NEThe pilot’s inadequate and incorrect antitorque pedal application during a tight, decelerating turn downwind, which resulted in a loss of yaw control.Aug 3, 2018 · N130TG · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18LA192Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSchweizer 269D · Stewartstown, PAThe pilot's inability to maintain yaw control while transitioning to an out of ground effect hover due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.Jul 14, 2018 · N411HU · Substantial damageNTSB CEN18FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBrantly B 2B · Midland, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, and his failure to promptly initiate the proper recovery technique, which resulted in a descent that could not be arrested before impacting the…Oct 1, 2017 · N2284U · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17LA305Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 369 · Lawrenceville, GAThe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the approach to landing, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.Sep 1, 2017 · N5189K · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA495Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · Minden, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during landing due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.Aug 20, 2017 · N6259C · Substantial damageNTSB CEN17LA267Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Ireland, INThe pilot's failure to apply the proper procedures to recover from a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in a loss of control during an aerial application turn.Jul 8, 2017 · N7224U · DestroyedNTSB WPR17LA143Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Ronan, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during a low-altitude orbiting maneuver and a subsequent hard landing.Jul 6, 2017 · N442DR · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA393Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · Dixon, KYThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to adequately identify hazards to flight during agricultural application operation planning.Jul 6, 2017 · N8159J · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA376Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 · Kelso, WAThe flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.Jun 30, 2017 · N8361N · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA369Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206B · Entiat, WAThe pilot’s failure to secure a loose item inside the cockpit that interfered with antitorque pedal control and led to a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.Jun 26, 2017 · N183TC · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17LA168Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Newton, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during out-of-ground-effect maneuvering at a low airspeed with a tailwind, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.Apr 27, 2017 · N728CB · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA237Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBrantly B 2B · Earl Park, INThe pilot’s failure to recognize that he was operating in the weathercock stability flight regime of loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the execution of a right pedal turn.Apr 18, 2017 · N2198U · Substantial damageNTSB CEN17WA069Incident · No injuriesForeign investigationSikorsky S92 · North Sea, UK, United KingdomOn December 28, 2016, G-WNSR, a Sikorsky S-92A helicopter had a heavy landing on the deck of an offshore platform in the North Sea. The 11 persons on-board were not injured. This accident/incident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the…Dec 28, 2016 · G-WNSRNTSB WPR16LA142Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell UH 1H · Mt. Adams, WAThe pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control as he slowed the helicopter during a landing approach, which resulted in the loss of helicopter control due to the loss of tail rotor effectiveness.Jul 17, 2016 · N790RJ · Substantial damageNTSB GAA16CA296Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 · Cahokia/St. Louis, ILThe flight instructor's delayed remedial action and his failure to remain vigilant as the helicopter entered the weathercock stability region, in gusting wind conditions, resulting in loss of tail rotor effectiveness and ground impact.Jun 7, 2016 · N931SH · Substantial damageNTSB GAA16CA201Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportHelicycle/Morrisey RR RM-1 · Denver, COThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter yaw while operating in conditions conducive to loss of tail rotor effectiveness, resulting in an uncommanded rapid right yaw and ground impact.Apr 22, 2016 · N867TV · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16CA160Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · Baltimore, MDThe pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind while hovering out of ground effect, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.Apr 16, 2016 · N326AC · DestroyedNTSB GAA16LA117Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHelicopteres Guimbal Cabri · Beaumont, TXThe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind during a hover-taxi and his failure to maintain helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.Jan 30, 2016 · N503DS · Substantial damageNTSB ERA15LA376Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269 · Eustis, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain yaw control as he slowed the helicopter during a landing approach, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.Sep 25, 2015 · N9567F · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15WA435Accident · No injuriesForeign investigationBell 206B · Sept-Iles, CanadaOn September 2, 2015, about 1345 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), a Bell 206B, Canada Registry C-GYBK, impacted terrain about 19 miles north of Sept-iles, Quebec. Of the five occupants that were on board, the pilot sustained minor injuries, two passengers…Sep 2, 2015 · C-GYBK · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15LA375Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Carlos, TXThe pilot’s improper decision to turn the helicopter toward a tailwind during an out-of-ground-effect hover, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Contributing to the accident was the accident and lead pilots’ inadequate preflight risk…Aug 22, 2015 · N445HS · Substantial damageNTSB GAA15CA102Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 - B11 · Caledonia, MIA loss of tail rotor effectiveness while maneuvering at low altitude, resulting in a collision with trees.May 29, 2015 · N206ED · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15LA002Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Woodsboro, TXThe pilot’s failure to recognize and correct for flight conditions conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in a rapid, uncommanded right yaw and subsequent hard landing.Oct 2, 2014 · N49746 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN14CA500Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Beaumont, TXThe pilot's loss tail rotor effectiveness while attempting a taxiway side-step during landing. Contributing to the accident was another pilot's failure to ensure the runway was clear before occupying the runway for takeoff.Sep 15, 2014 · N9844N · Substantial damageNTSB WPR14LA341Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 500N · Idaho Falls, IDThe pilot’s loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.Aug 12, 2014 · N18GH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR14CA325Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Honolulu, HIThe pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain aircraft control during taxi, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and subsequent impact with the taxiway and a parked fuel truck.Aug 2, 2014 · N110JC · Substantial damageNTSB WPR14GA281Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportAmerican Eurocopter AS350B3 · Fallon, NVA loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in an uncontrolled rotation and descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident was a sudden shift in wind conditions and the helicopter's high power demand condition due to its load weight and operating…Jul 4, 2014 · N832PA · Substantial damageNTSB CEN14CA142Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Bonham, TXThe pilot's inadequate recovery from a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during a low altitude downwind hover in a gusty wind condition resulting in the helicopter contacting the ground and rolling over.Feb 14, 2014 · N494SH · Substantial damageNTSB CEN14GA109Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportAmerican Eurocopter AS350B3 · Encino, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while maneuvering, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s limited experience in the operating environment and lack of formal mission training.Jan 10, 2014 · N3948A · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14WA047Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson R66 · Rio de Janeiro, BrazilNov 20, 2013 · PR-MXM · Substantial damage