# NTSB investigations, TX: 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.

## Latest cases

- [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 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 CEN15LA375](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA375.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Carlos, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 22, 2015 · N445HS · Substantial damage
  > The 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…
- [NTSB CEN15FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA003.md): Bell Helicopter Textron 206L 1 · Wichita Falls, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 2014 · N335AE · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control when he applied power to execute a go-around at a low airspeed in dark, night conditions, which resulted in a rapid, uncommanded right yaw due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB CEN15LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA002.md): Bell 206B · Woodsboro, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 2014 · N49746 · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN14CA500](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA500.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Beaumont, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 15, 2014 · N9844N · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN14CA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA142.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Bonham, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 14, 2014 · N494SH · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN14GA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14GA109.md): American Eurocopter AS350B3 · Encino, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Jan 10, 2014 · N3948A · Substantial damage
  > The 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.
- [NTSB CEN13TA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13TA165.md): Bell OH-58A · Pine Springs, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Feb 14, 2013 · N337PW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while operating in conditions conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB CEN13LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA148.md): Robinson R22 Beta II · Gillett, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 1, 2013 · N3059Q · Substantial damage
  > A loss of tail rotor effectiveness while manuevering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN12LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA120.md): Continental Copters 47G2 · Lohn, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 1, 2012 · N9021R · Substantial damage
  > The improper installation of the tail rotor gearbox by maintenance personnel, which led to accelerated wear of the ring and pinion gears, resulting in the loss of tail rotor effectiveness and subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB CEN09CA394](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA394.md): Sidler Mike Rotorway · Waxahachie, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 27, 2009 · N1934 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to control his rate of descent during autorotation, which required an aggressive recovery maneuver and resulted in a sudden loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB DFW08CA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA177.md): Robinson R44 II · Canyon Lake, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 5, 2008 · N804DF · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to operate inside the height velocity curve.

## 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'TX' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND 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?state=TX

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