# NTSB investigations: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 2 · 100 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA094.md): Sled Thomas Helicycle · Mobile, AL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 8, 2026 · N3722T · Substantial damage
  > 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 ERA25LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA204.md): Eurocopter Deutschland MBB-BK 117 C-1 · Fort Washington, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 19, 2025 · N117NC · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to identify and replace damaged rivet nuts at the air conditioning louver assembly, which resulted in the separation of the louver assembly from the helicopter, the louver assembly’s impact with the tail rotor, and subsequent…
- [NTSB ERA25LA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA059.md): Bell 206B · Lakeland, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 21, 2024 · N422RH · Substantial damage
  > 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 WPR25LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA006.md): Agustawestland AW109SP · Kamas, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2024 · N631HC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the helicopter’s available power while landing in a confined area, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA243.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Cottonwood, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2024 · N473E · Substantial damage
  > 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 subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA24LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA205.md): Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 · Plant City, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 1, 2024 · N413JM · Substantial damage
  > 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.md): Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 · Boulder City, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 28, 2022 · N835GC · Substantial damage
  > 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 control. Contributing to the severity of the occupants’ injuries…
- [NTSB ERA22LA431](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA431.md): Robinson Helicopter R-22 Beta · Nashville, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 29, 2022 · N622MP · Substantial damage
  > A loss of tail rotor effectiveness while hovering in crosswind conditions resulting in the student pilot's loss of control of the helicopter, impact with terrain, and dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB CEN22LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA326.md): Helicopteres Guimbal Cabri G2 · Madison, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2022 · N457PA · Substantial damage
  > Loss of tail rotor effectiveness resulting in an in-flight loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR22FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA101.md): Mcdonnell Douglas 500N · Newport Beach, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 20, 2022 · N521HB · Substantial damage
  > 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 resulted in the loss of control, his fatigue due to his early…
- [NTSB CEN22FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA086.md): Bell 206B · Livingston, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 30, 2021 · N8AU · Substantial damage
  > 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.md): Bell 206 · Gonzales, LA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 6, 2021 · N373SP · Substantial damage
  > 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.md): Enstrom F28 · Toughkenamon, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 8, 2021 · N51789 · Substantial damage
  > 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 CEN21LA389](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA389.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Arnaudville, LA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 27, 2021 · N827SH · Substantial damage
  > The loss of tail rotor drive due to a fatigue failure of the tail rotor gearbox output shaft, which resulted in a loss of control during landing.
- [NTSB GAA21WA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA247.md): Enstrom 280FX · Llanfachreth, United Kingdom · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Foreign · Aug 25, 2021 · G-OJBB · Substantial damage
- [NTSB CEN21LA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA253.md): Schweizer TH55A/269A · Monroe, LA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 3, 2021 · N41G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control during landing which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB CEN21LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA153.md): Eurocopter EC130 · Tulsa, OK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 25, 2021 · N259AM · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB WPR21LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA093.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Queen Creek, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 22, 2021 · N90TG · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN20LA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA273.md): Aerospatiale AS355 · Rifle, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 11, 2020 · N708AC · Destroyed
  > A loss of tail rotor effectiveness, the pilot’s subsequent loss of helicopter control, and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ANC20LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA028.md): Eurocopter EC130 · Kalapana, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 5, 2020 · N11QK · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control due to the fatigue fracture of a tail rotor fenestron blade due to the geometry of the water drain hole positioning on the rib.
- [NTSB WPR20WA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20WA081.md): Oas UH-1H · Williamtown Aerodrome, Australia · Accident · Minor injuries · Foreign investigation · Dec 7, 2019 · VH-OXI · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB ERA19LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA285.md): Enstrom F28 · Bloomsburg, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 28, 2019 · N380SH · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB WPR19LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA205.md): Md Helicopter 369 · Eugene, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 28, 2019 · N438RC · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB GAA19CA463](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA463.md): Hughes 269A · Springfield, TN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 24, 2019 · N269RR · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB WPR19LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA194.md): Bell 47G 3B 1 · Mosby, MT · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2019 · N3078G · Substantial damage
  > The 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. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inappropriate…
- [NTSB ERA19LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA171.md): Bell 206 · New York, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 15, 2019 · N26BB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to compensate for adverse wind on final approach, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and aircraft control.
- [NTSB GAA18CA508](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA508.md): Robinson R22 · Corvallis, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 24, 2018 · N4085T · Substantial damage
  > The student helicopter pilot’s inadequate torque pedal application during practice approaches with a tailwind, which resulted in a loss of yaw control and a subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN18LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA314.md): Airbus EC 130 T2 · Mullen, NE · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 2018 · N130TG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate and incorrect antitorque pedal application during a tight, decelerating turn downwind, which resulted in a loss of yaw control.
- [NTSB ERA18LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA192.md): Schweizer 269D · Stewartstown, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2018 · N411HU · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to maintain yaw control while transitioning to an out of ground effect hover due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB GAA18CA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA117.md): Hughes Helicopters 369 · Wrightwood, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 1, 2018 · N618SG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s high altitude, high gross weight landing with insufficient tail rotor thrust resulting in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB CEN18FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA001.md): Brantly B 2B · Midland, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 2017 · N2284U · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB ERA17LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA305.md): MD Helicopter 369 · Lawrenceville, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 2017 · N5189K · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB GAA17CA495](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA495.md): Bell 206 · Minden, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 20, 2017 · N6259C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during landing due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB CEN17LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA267.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Ireland, IN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2017 · N7224U · Destroyed
  > The 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.
- [NTSB WPR17LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA143.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Ronan, MT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 2017 · N442DR · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB GAA17CA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA393.md): Bell 206 · Dixon, KY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 6, 2017 · N8159J · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB GAA17CA376](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA376.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 · Kelso, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 30, 2017 · N8361N · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB GAA17CA369](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA369.md): Bell 206B · Entiat, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 26, 2017 · N183TC · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB GAA17CA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA251.md): Bender Joseph KIT Rotoway · Wheatland, WY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 30, 2017 · N164JB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to operate the helicopter in gusting wind and high-density altitude conditions and his positioning of the helicopter such that it resulted in a right quartering tailwind, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of…
- [NTSB ERA17LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA168.md): Robinson R44 · Newton, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 2017 · N728CB · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB GAA17CA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA237.md): Brantly B 2B · Earl Park, IN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 18, 2017 · N2198U · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN17WA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17WA069.md): Sikorsky S92 · North Sea, UK, United Kingdom · Incident · No injuries · Foreign investigation · Dec 28, 2016 · G-WNSR
  > On 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…
- [NTSB ERA17LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA046.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 · West Chester, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 2016 · N306RL · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's decision to continue the practice autorotation in known gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing and roll over.
- [NTSB WPR16LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA142.md): Bell UH 1H · Mt. Adams, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 2016 · N790RJ · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB GAA16CA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA296.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 · Cahokia/St. Louis, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 7, 2016 · N931SH · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB GAA16CA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA201.md): Helicycle/Morrisey RR RM-1 · Denver, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 22, 2016 · N867TV · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB ERA16CA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA160.md): Bell 206 · Baltimore, MD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 16, 2016 · N326AC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind while hovering out of ground effect, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB GAA16LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16LA117.md): Helicopteres Guimbal Cabri · Beaumont, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 30, 2016 · N503DS · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB WPR16LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA056.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 22, 2016 · N7020U · Substantial damage
  > The loss of helicopter control as a result of the loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB CEN16LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA047.md): Eurocopter EC120B · Goshen, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2015 · N88HA · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the Thomas coupling at the interface with the main gear box tail rotor output shaft, which resulted in the helicopter's loss of tail rotor control.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md?page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
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 s.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s."tier2Number" = '242' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent"))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence

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