NTSB investigations
60 cases where NTSB found Main rotor blade system.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 4 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
Where
Open the mapLatest 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 f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '01046210')) 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.
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 f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '01046210')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB CEN26LA081Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEla ELA10 · Morris, ILThe pilot’s failure obtain the proper rotor rpm before applying power for the takeoff roll which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB WPR25LA203Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Park City, UTThe pilot’s failure to maintain rotor rpm during an approach to landing in a mountainous area, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB WPR25LA093Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 · Moab, UTThe inflight collision with debris during takeoff.NTSB WPR25LA010Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEnstrom Helicopter 280C · Vale, ORThe pilot’s failure to maintain engine and rotor rpm during takeoff, that resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR24LA319Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206L · Fern Prairie, WAAn aeroelastic interaction between the helicopter’s main rotor blades and nodal beam system, which resulted in oscillations that exceeded the design limits of the tailboom. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the main rotor blade manufacturer to…NTSB CEN24LA358Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369 · Canton, MIFatigue cracking of the main rotor blade that occurred at an undetermined time.NTSB WPR23LA313Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell OH-58A · Guernsey, CAThe pilot’s overpitching of the main rotor blades while maneuvering at low altitude in a high-temperature environment at high gross weight, which resulted in a reduction of engine and rotor speed, excessive main rotor blade flapping, mast bumping, and impact…NTSB ERA23LA326Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369 · Elberon, VAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line structure arm, which resulted in main rotor blade contact.NTSB ERA23LA289Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 269A · Anderson, SCThe mechanics’ improper torquing of the main rotor blade dampers, which resulted in a ground resonance event during landing.NTSB CEN23LA199Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Abbeville, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper helicopter control during autorotation that resulted in an abnormal ground contact which caused the subsequent main rotor strike on the tail boom that severed the tail rotor driveshaft. Contributing to the accident was…NTSB ERA23LA228Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Bradenton, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during landing which resulted in a premature landing on uneven ground and a subsequent rollover.NTSB WPR22LA291Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350B3 · Chino, CAThe subsequent delamination of the main rotor blades as a result of an unidentified main rotor blade impact with vegetation during a previous flight by another pilot.NTSB ERA22FA207Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Elba, NYThe pilots’ inappropriate flight control inputs while in vortex ring state, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tail boom and a subsequent in-flight breakup. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate monitoring of the flight.NTSB CEN21FA330Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Elgin, MNThe pilot’s decision to operate the helicopter under powerlines, which resulted in a main rotor blade striking a powerline, causing the helicopter to descend from a low altitude and impact terrain.NTSB WPR20LA283Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportKaman K 1200 · Pine Grove, ORAn in-flight breakup resulting from contact of the left rotor system with the right rotor system after an in-flight failure of a servo flap from a left rotor blade.NTSB CEN20CA334Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportHughes 369 · Delia, KSForeign object damage sustained to the main rotor blades due to aerial tree trimming.NTSB WPR20LA155Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCSP Leasing Cavalon · Roseburg, ORA substantially unweighted rotor system for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in contact between the main rotor blade and the gyrocopter’s keel tube and a loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB ENG20IA005Incident · No injuriesClass 3 · IncidentFinal reportAgusta A109 · Penobscot, MEFatigue fracture of the main rotor blade tip cap leading edge and subsequent partial separation of the tip cap, resulting in increased vibrations in the main rotor.NTSB WPR19LA221Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAutoGyro Cavalon · Shelton, WAThe pilot’s failure to initiate the takeoff roll with inadequate rotor speed, and his failure to follow the published takeoff procedures, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with the ground.NTSB WPR19FA123Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Kailua, HIThe helicopter’s encounter with a strong downdraft or outflow boundary while operating at a higher than recommended airspeed in turbulence which resulted in a low-G condition, excessive main rotor flapping, and an in-flight breakup when the main rotor…NTSB WPR18LA242Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 212 · Dardanelle, CAAn in-flight failure of the trunnion bearing and subsequent failure of the drive link and swashplate support, which resulted in the loss of helicopter control.NTSB GAA18CA506Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHughes 369 · Ridgeway, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial observation flight.NTSB ERA17FA317Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Medford, NJThe pilot's early entry into and failure to maintain rotor rpm during a forced landing autorotation after performing an engine shutdown in flight, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent. Contributing to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel…NTSB WPR17LA158Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom F 28C · Ontario, CAThe student pilot's mismanagement of the main rotor rpm, which resulted in low rotor rpm, a high descent rate, and a subsequent hard landing.NTSB CEN17LA264Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47D1 · Big Lake, MNThe failure of the metal core assembly within a wooden main rotor blade due to undetected corrosion and fatigue, which caused the wooden blade to separate from the rotor mast.NTSB ERA17LA032Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell OH 58C · Cameron, NCAn in-flight failure of a main rotor blade due to fatigue cracks. Contributing to the failure of the main rotor blade was the absence of guidance to the operator to inspect an area of the main rotor blade known to be susceptible to fatigue cracks and the…NTSB ERA16CA313Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Rikers Island, NYThe pilot’s overcontrolling of the helicopter during an aborted slope landing from a hover, which resulted in a main rotor blade strike.NTSB DCA16FA199Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportBell 525 · Italy, TXA severe vibration of the helicopter that led to the crew's inability to maintain sufficient rotor rotation speed (Nr), leading to excessive main rotor blade flapping, subsequent main rotor blade contact with the tail boom, and the resultant in-flight…NTSB WPR16LA081Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 600N · Ashland, ORFatigue cracking of a main rotor blade for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB WPR15LA249Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C - Undesignat · Mesa, AZThe disbondment of a main rotor damper, which resulted in the degradation of its damping action and led to excessive main rotor vibrations and oscillations that caused substantial damage to the helicopter in flight and led to a hard landing.NTSB GAA15CA221Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47D1 · Clanton, ALThe student pilot's abrupt cyclic and collective inputs during the approach to land which resulted in abnormal runway contact and a subsequent tail boom strike by the main rotor blades.NTSB GAA15CA181Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Caldwell, IDAbnormal ground contact during a 180 degree autorotation, resulting in a severed tail rotor driveshaft by a main rotor blade. A factor contributing to the accident was the rotor blowback condition due to the aft tilting of the main rotor disk.NTSB ERA15LA115Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · West Palm Beach, FLThe failure of the airplane pilots to maintain an adequate visual lookout for known traffic in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the airplane pilots to announce their intentions before…NTSB CEN14LA508Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBrupbacher Chris CB2000 · Reserve, LAThe failure of the flight control rod bearing due to an undetected preexisting corrosion-induced crack, which resulted in the main rotor blades going to full pitch and the rotor mast folding; this allowed the pusher propeller to strike and sever the tail.NTSB WPR14LA308Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMdhi 369D · Oso, WAThe pilot/mechanic’s failure to properly perform required inspections of the main rotor blades at the necessary intervals, which resulted in an in-flight separation of a main rotor blade due to disbonding and fatigue cracking. Contributing to the accident was…NTSB CEN14TA116Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportAutogyro Mtosport · Spring, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain the gyroplane’s rotor control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions.NTSB ERA13LA433Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom F-28C · Bloomsburg, PAThe relieved pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the rotating main rotor blades after he exited the helicopter.NTSB ERA13TA237Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell OH-58C · Jekyll Island, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm in the normal operating range during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate supervision by the flight instructor.NTSB ERA12LA379Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 427 · Indiantown, FLThe inflight collision with birds, resulting in damage to the rotor head assembly and a subsequent forced landing and rollover.NTSB ERA12LA373Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFaltin John R Rotorway Exec 162F · Smoketown, PAA loss of control during a post-maintenance test flight due to improper tracking of the helicopter’s main rotor blades by the pilot/aircraft builder.NTSB WPR12LA115Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTexas Helicopter OH-13E/M74 · Farmington, CAThe in-flight separation of the wood portion of one main rotor blade while maneuvering at low level, the reason for which could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB ANC12CA018Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Beluga, AKGround personnel's movement of cargo in windy conditions, which allowed a previously secured cargo sack to blow into the main rotor blades.NTSB ERA12CA124Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportChapel Robert B Aerial · Simsbury, CTThe pilot's decision to operate the gyroplane outside his endorsement limitations and to depart with a tailwind, which resulted in a forced landing to unsuitable terrain.NTSB CEN12CA078Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMesserschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 B-2 · Carbondale, ILThe main rotor blade’s contact with the vertical stabilizer during the engine shutdown in strong, gusty wind conditions.NTSB CEN12LA039Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS 350 B2 · South Pass 93AImproper centering of the cyclic during a start in gusty wind conditions.NTSB WPR11LA379Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-2 · Los Banos, CAThe pilot’s inadequate preflight, and contamination of both the engine compressor section and the main rotor blades, which resulted in reduced performance of the engine and rotor system.NTSB CEN11FA422Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Del Valle, TXThe divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation for reasons that cannot be determined because the pilot’s control inputs leading up to the event are unknown, resulting in mast bumping and main rotor blade separation.NTSB WPR11LA048Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 369D · Salem, ORThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance between the longline and trees, which resulted in the longline snagging a tree and then recoiling into the main rotor blades and a subsequent loss of helicopter control.NTSB ERA10LA379Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGarlick Helicopters OH-58A+ · Newport, TNInadequate maintenance inspections of the main rotor blade inertia screw holes, which resulted in a main rotor blade failure due to fatigue. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the main rotor blades.NTSB ERA10LA190Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Miami, FLA loss of main rotor rpm for undetermined reasons.