# NTSB investigations: Main rotor drive, general 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 WPR24LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA067.md): Bell 206B · El Centro, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 24, 2023 · N111PM · Substantial damage > An 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 WPR21LA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA320.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · West Jordan, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 14, 2021 · N226WM · Substantial damage > The 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 CEN20LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA330.md): Robinson R44 · Logan, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2020 · N89LA · Substantial damage > The 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 CEN17LA365](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA365.md): Gaddis Michael Exec 162 F · Plymouth, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2017 · N123XZ · Substantial damage > A failure of the drive belt for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. - [NTSB CEN16LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA096.md): Raymond Z Brown Condor · Centralia, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 1, 2016 · N41852 · Substantial damage > The failure of the prerotator belt, which impeded the engine's timing belt and resulted in a loss of engine power at low altitude. - [NTSB CEN14LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA307.md): Rotorway Exec 162F · Mt. Comfort, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 2014 · N6828D · Substantial damage > The 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 WPR12FA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA191.md): Hughes 269C · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · May 2, 2012 · N380TL · Substantial damage > A 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 CEN11LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA305.md): D & D Rotorway Exec · Massillon, OH · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 23, 2011 · N614S · Substantial damage > The 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 ERA11LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA216.md): Hiller UH-12E · Culpeper, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 2011 · N4033P · Substantial damage > Mechanical failure of the transmission for reasons that could not be determined because the transmission could not be torn down. - [NTSB ERA10LA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA361.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta · West Melbourne, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 15, 2010 · N74603 · Substantial damage > Separation 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 ERA10LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA019.md): Robinson R44 · La Belle, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 15, 2009 · N3038W · Substantial damage > The loss of main rotor rpm due to the failure of one or more of the drive belts for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB CEN09TA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09TA060.md): Bell OH-58C · Quitman, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Nov 16, 2008 · N153GF · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to execute a proper autorotation during a forced landing after a loss of rotor rpm for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB CEN09CA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA026.md): Holland Rotorway 162F · Rutland, SD · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 10, 2008 · N162NJ · Substantial damage > The 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 DFW08CA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA152.md): Rotorway 162F · Gonzales, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 24, 2008 · N771SS · Destroyed > failure of the main rotor drive belt for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB DFW08CA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA147.md): Dowell Vaughn Exec 90 · Lafayette, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 17, 2008 · N6032C · Substantial damage > The 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. ## 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 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 ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046300/cases --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.