NTSB investigations

13 cases where NTSB found Main rotor mast/swashplate.

Cases per year

20102026
NTSB investigations per year, 2010–2026: 13 cases
20101
20111
20122
20131
20141
20151
20162
20212
20221
20241

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 f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '01046230'))
  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 ANC24FA063Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Kekaha, HIAn encounter with turbulence due to downdraft winds that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight breakup.Jul 11, 2024 · N144KW · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22FA105Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · FieldFinal reportEurocopter Deutschland EC135 P2+ · Drexel Hill, PAAn inflight attitude upset for undetermined reasons that resulted in a rotor system overspeed, a reduction of power from both engines, and a subsequent hard landing.Jan 11, 2022 · N531LN · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21FA317Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRotorway Exec 162F · Argyle, NYThe pilot’s abrupt control inputs, which resulted in a low G condition, main rotor mast bumping, and the subsequent severing of the tail boom by a main rotor blade.Aug 7, 2021 · N162KJ · DestroyedNTSB WPR21FA300Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Colusa, CAThe pilot’s abrupt flight control input that led to mast bumping and a subsequent in-flight breakup.Aug 1, 2021 · N7000J · DestroyedNTSB CEN17FA012Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportFairchild Hiller FH 1100 · Lino Lakes, MNThe separation of the main rotor assembly due to mast bumping.Oct 6, 2016 · N4035G · DestroyedNTSB WPR16FA130Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R66 · Wikieup, AZAn encounter with turbulence due to updrafts and/or dust devils that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight break-up.Jun 23, 2016 · N117TW · DestroyedNTSB WPR15LA178Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGarlick Helicopters UH 1H · Cove, ORThe failure of the engine-to-transmission drive shaft coupling assembly due to a fatigue fracture of one of its attachment bolts, which resulted in a loss of power to the main rotor.May 31, 2015 · N462CC · Substantial damageNTSB WPR15FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Bountiful, UTThe pilot/mechanic's failure to properly secure the pitch link hardware of one main rotor blade to the rotating swash plate, which resulted in the pitch link separating in flight and a subsequent loss of control.Dec 2, 2014 · N3234U · Substantial damageNTSB ERA13FA186Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Miami, FLThe mechanic's failure to properly secure the pitch link hardware of one main rotor blade to the rotating swash plate, which resulted in the pitch link separating in flight and the pilot's subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the…Apr 3, 2013 · N3101H · DestroyedNTSB WPR12LA096Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportArrow Falcon Exporters OH-58A · Brawley, CAThe failure of the main rotor mast due to fatigue cracks that originated from corrosion pits. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended overhaul interval for the main rotor mast.Jan 21, 2012 · N902SF · Substantial damageNTSB DCA12FA024Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 214 · Camp Bastion, Afghanistanthe overtravel of the collective sleeve, which led to a severe and sudden reduction in main rotor blade collective pitch, resulting in a loss of control of the helicopter. The reason for the collective sleeve overtravel could not be determined since much of…Jan 16, 2012 · N5748M · DestroyedNTSB WPR11LA303Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportArrow Falcon Exporters OH-58C · Brentwood, CAThe failure of the main rotor mast due to fatigue cracking originating from corrosion pits.Jul 3, 2011 · N6264D · Substantial damageNTSB CEN10FA291Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 222 · Midlothian, TXThe fracture of a swashplate drive pin as a result of hydrogen embrittlement due to an unknown source, which resulted in an in-flight breakup of the main rotor system during cruise flight.Jun 2, 2010 · N515MK · Substantial damage