NTSB investigations
15 cases where NTSB found Main rotor drive, general.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 4 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
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\", '01046300')) 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", '01046300')) 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 WPR24LA067Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · El Centro, CAAn in-flight failure of the engine-to-transmission driveshaft due to a fatigue fracture of the forward-most flex plate in the forward KAflex coupling that resulted from a loose bolt attachment between the flex plate and the forward driveshaft coupling.…NTSB WPR21LA320Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · West Jordan, UTThe pilot receiving instruction’s improper application of forward cyclic in a low rotor rpm condition and the instructor’s delayed remediation, which resulted in an impact with terrain.NTSB CEN20LA330Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Logan, IAThe failure of the lower actuator bearing support brackets, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, a loss of belt tension on the main rotor drive system, and a subsequent forced landing.NTSB CEN17LA365Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGaddis Michael Exec 162 F · Plymouth, INA failure of the drive belt for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB CEN16LA096Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRaymond Z Brown Condor · Centralia, ILThe failure of the prerotator belt, which impeded the engine's timing belt and resulted in a loss of engine power at low altitude.NTSB CEN14LA307Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRotorway Exec 162F · Mt. Comfort, INThe pilot’s installation of an unauthorized main rotor belt and his subsequent failure to properly inspect the belt, which resulted in inadequate belt tension, the belt’s failure, and the subsequent loss of engine power.NTSB WPR12FA191Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · Phoenix, AZA loss of tail rotor drive due to a fatigue failure of the main transmission pinion, which resulted in a loss of directional control during cruise flight.NTSB CEN11LA305Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportD & D Rotorway Exec · Massillon, OHThe excessive wear on the secondary shaft, from the inner bearing race, which resulted in the transmission clutch disengagement and a loss of power to the rotor system.NTSB ERA11LA216Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Culpeper, VAMechanical failure of the transmission for reasons that could not be determined because the transmission could not be torn down.NTSB ERA10LA361Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · West Melbourne, FLSeparation of the main rotor drive belts due to maintenance personnel’s failure to adequately inspect the upper drive sheave prior to installing the belts.NTSB ERA10LA019Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · La Belle, FLThe loss of main rotor rpm due to the failure of one or more of the drive belts for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN09TA060Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell OH-58C · Quitman, ARThe pilot’s failure to execute a proper autorotation during a forced landing after a loss of rotor rpm for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN09CA026Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportHolland Rotorway 162F · Rutland, SDThe loss of torque due to a failure of a transmission drivebelt and the pilot's delayed landing flare during the autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the dusk light condition and the corn crop.NTSB DFW08CA152Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportRotorway 162F · Gonzales, TXfailure of the main rotor drive belt for undetermined reasons.NTSB DFW08CA147Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportDowell Vaughn Exec 90 · Lafayette, COThe pilot's improper in-flight decision to continue flight after experiencing a loss of rotor RPM. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's low level of experience in helicopters and the leaking oil from the engine oil filler cap.