# NTSB investigations: Tail rotor blade 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 WPR26LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA062.md): Bell 407 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 15, 2025 · N404LL · Substantial damage > Tail rotor blade impact from an unidentified object at an undetermined time. - [NTSB ANC24LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA013.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Glacier View, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 11, 2024 · N74868 · Substantial damage > A sudden stoppage of the tail rotor for unknown reasons, which resulted in the tortional overload failure of the tail rotor driveshaft. - [NTSB ERA23LA369](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA369.md): Eurocopter Deutschland EC135T2 · Fargo, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2023 · N273AM · Substantial damage > The separation of the outer span of a tail rotor blade during flight as a result of localized intergranular corrosion due to a diminished protective coating at a critical location on the tail rotor blade surface that, combined with cyclic loading, resulted in… - [NTSB ERA22LA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA340.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 Mariner · Hollywood, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 27, 2022 · N42WC · Substantial damage > Inadequate maintenance of the helicopter’s tail rotor blades, which resulted in a failure of the tail rotor drive system, and an inflight loss of yaw control from which the flight instructor was unable to recover. - [NTSB WPR22LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA221.md): Bell 206B · Stockton, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 17, 2022 · N90326 · Substantial damage > Tail rotor blade impact with an unidentified object, which resulted in the loss of control and subsequent rollover of the helicopter. - [NTSB WPR20LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA224.md): Hiller UH 12D · Mehama, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 17, 2020 · N2297W · Destroyed > An in-flight separation of a tail rotor blade due to fatigue cracking and overstress, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent ground impact. - [NTSB ANC20LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA028.md): Eurocopter EC130 · Kalapana, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 5, 2020 · N11QK · Substantial damage > A loss of control due to the fatigue fracture of a tail rotor fenestron blade due to the geometry of the water drain hole positioning on the rib. - [NTSB WPR19LA255](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA255.md): Sikorsky S58 · Azusa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 11, 2019 · N1168U · Substantial damage > The in-flight separation of a section of the tail rotor blade due to a fatigue crack, which resulted in the pilot’s forced autorotation into a field. - [NTSB WPR19LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA028.md): Bell 430 · Kailua, HI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 27, 2018 · N430ST · Substantial damage > The separation of one of the tail rotors blades’ root enclosures due to improper repair. - [NTSB WPR18LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA221.md): Hughes 369 · Honolulu, HI · Accident · No injuries · Class 2 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2018 · N369MH · Substantial damage > The operator's improper installation of the tail rotor (TR) teeter bearings, which resulted in cascading in-flight failures of the TR components and attach hardware. - [NTSB CEN18LA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA313.md): Brantly B-2 · Midland, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 2018 · N5901X · Substantial damage > The in-flight separation of the tail rotor blade due to fatigue, which resulted in the subsequent emergency landing and dynamic rollover. - [NTSB CEN17LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA174.md): Bell 407 · Venice, LA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 2, 2017 · N457PH · Substantial damage > An in-flight separation of the tip block from the tail rotor blade due to an inadequate blade repair, which resulted in a rotor imbalance sufficient to crack the gearbox attachment studs and gearbox support assembly, and inadequate postrepair test procedures,… - [NTSB ERA16CA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA060.md): Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 · Monongahela, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 6, 2015 · N639ME · Substantial damage > The inadequate securing of the wheeled fire extinguisher's cover which resulted in it being blown off of the fire extinguisher and ingested into the helicopter's fenestron during takeoff, resulting in a loss of directional control. - [NTSB ANC15LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15LA073.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Fort Glenn, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2015 · N7162R · Substantial damage > The separation of the tail rotor gearbox from the tailboom attachment point due to overstress loads imposed by a tail rotor blade imbalance as the result of impact with an undetermined object during low-level flight operations. - [NTSB CEN15LA379](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA379.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Ketchum, OK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 2015 · N444KD · Substantial damage > The separation of the tail rotor gearbox from the tailboom aft bulkhead due to overstress loads imposed by a blade imbalance from an in-flight impact with an undetermined object. - [NTSB CEN15LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA265.md): Bell 407 · Pecan Island, LA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 2015 · N501PH · Substantial damage > The fatigue fracture of the tail rotor gearbox attachment studs, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor control and a subsequent hard landing. - [NTSB CEN14LA401](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA401.md): Mosquito XE · Oshkosh, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 2014 · CF-HEZ · Substantial damage > The failure of the retaining assembly on the tail rotor blade, which resulted in the separation of the blade and the subsequent loss of helicopter control. - [NTSB CEN14LA465](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA465.md): Bell 206B · Spring, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 30, 2014 · N866H · Substantial damage > The pilot's distraction by a cell phone call, which led to his failure to perform an exterior check of the helicopter and resulted in a tie-down strap remaining attached to the main rotor during the engine start. - [NTSB CEN14LA418](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA418.md): Texas Helicopter OH 13H/M74A · Little Falls, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 28, 2014 · N51853 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree at the edge of a field that he was spraying. - [NTSB CEN14LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA103.md): Bell 430 · West Delta 109 · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 5, 2014 · N430CT · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain tail rotor clearance from a handrail on a crane davit on an oil platform during landing. - [NTSB CEN13FA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA192.md): Sikorsky S-76A++ · Grand Lake, LA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 15, 2013 · N574EH · Destroyed > Fracture of the red tail rotor blade spar, which resulted in the separation and departure of the red tail rotor blade from the helicopter and subsequent compromised tail gearbox. The red tail rotor blade was not recovered, thus the cause of the initial… - [NTSB CEN13LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA155.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Tulsa, OK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 6, 2013 · N276RC · Substantial damage > The line technician’s failure to remove the refueling mat from the helicopter fuselage following servicing, which resulted in the mat striking the tail rotor in flight, and the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection. - [NTSB ERA12LA493](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA493.md): Sikorsky S-58JT · Middletown, DE · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 2012 · N126GW · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to recognize that the helicopter was experiencing tail rotor dynamic instability and to take immediate corrective actions during an external load lift, which resulted in the failure of a tail rotor blade. - [NTSB ANC11TA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11TA110.md): Bell 206 B3 · Seward, AK · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Sep 23, 2011 · N204PA · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain during hover in deteriorating weather and flat light conditions, which resulted in a tail rotor strike. - [NTSB WPR11GA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11GA115.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Heli 369FF · Marana, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Jan 31, 2011 · N530RL · Substantial damage > An inadvertent tail rotor strike during an attempted pinnacle landing, which resulted in the pilot's loss of control of the helicopter. Inhospitable terrain/topography contributed to the severity of the accident. - [NTSB WPR10FA440](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA440.md): Hiller UH 12E · Kamiah, ID · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2010 · N67264 · Substantial damage > In-flight impact of a passenger's metal clipboard with the helicopter’s tail rotor, which resulted in destruction of the tail rotor and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. The original location of the clipboard and how it became free could not be… - [NTSB WPR10LA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA200.md): Bell 222U · Santa Maria, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 9, 2010 · N222UT · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection to ensure that all tie-down straps were removed prior to flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper management of sleep opportunities during the preceding rest period, which likely contributed to… - [NTSB ERA10LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA118.md): Eurocopter AS 350 B2 · New York, NY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2010 · N696BH · Substantial damage > The failure of maintenance personnel to properly secure one tail rotor pitch change link to its respective tail rotor blade resulting in an in-flight separation of the link from the blade. Contributing to the accident was the lack of an adequate… - [NTSB CEN09CA584](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA584.md): Yates W/Lazar M Safari Helicopter · Cedar Park, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 13, 2009 · N555BB · Substantial damage > An in-flight separation of the tail rotor blades and the tail rotor gearbox for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB CEN09CA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA339.md): Bell 47G · San Marcos, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 5, 2009 · N8420E · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines. - [NTSB NYC08LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA129.md): Sikorsky S-58HT · Belmont, WV · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 9, 2008 · N1078T · Substantial damage > The fatigue failure of a tail rotor blade during an external load lift. ## 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", '01046410')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046410/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.