NTSB investigations
46 cases where NTSB found Tail rotor drive system.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 5 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2024 | 5 |
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\", '010465')) 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", '010465')) 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 ERA25LA040Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHughes 369D · Waycross, GAAn encounter with a foreign object, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.NTSB ANC24LA077Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Honolulu, HIA failure of the flex plate yoke flange assembly due to incorrectly torqued bolts. Contributing was the maintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the tail rotor flex plate assembly.NTSB ERA24LA263Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRotorway Exec · Alva, FLA loss of tail rotor control as a result of unsecured tail rotor drive belt tensioner bolts.NTSB ERA24LA205Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus Helicopters AS350B3 · Plant City, FLThe pilot’s inadequate yaw control of the helicopter while maneuvering at a low altitude and airspeed, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB ANC24LA013Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Glacier View, AKA sudden stoppage of the tail rotor for unknown reasons, which resulted in the tortional overload failure of the tail rotor driveshaft.NTSB WPR23LA004Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206B · Fresno, CAThe disbond of a tail rotor drive shaft splined adapter, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor drive and a subsequent hard landing.NTSB WPR22LA340Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · Banning, CAThe improper attachment of the tail rotor drive shaft to the air conditioner drive pulley without a drive ring, which resulted in the failure of the hardware, a loss of tail rotor drive, and the loss of control of the helicopter followed by a hard landing and…NTSB WPR22LA084Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell UH-1E · Gustine, CAFailure of the 90° gearbox due to the lack of lubricating oil, which resulted in a loss of rotational drive to the tail rotor and a subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.NTSB ERA21LA386Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Millen, GAThe improper reassembly of the tail rotor gearbox following maintenance, which resulted in fatigue failure of the input pinion gear shaft, and the subsequent loss of tail rotor drive.NTSB CEN21LA389Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Arnaudville, LAThe loss of tail rotor drive due to a fatigue failure of the tail rotor gearbox output shaft, which resulted in a loss of control during landing.NTSB ERA21LA339Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportEnstrom 280 · Port Orange, FLThe failure of the tail rotor drive shaft at the coupling due to torsionally applied shear stress.NTSB ERA21FA195Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 · Eden, NCThe impact of the main rotor blades with the tail boom during low-altitude maneuvers, which severed the tail rotor drive shaft and resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA20LA310Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R22 · Fort Myers, FLForeign object damage of the turning tailrotor by a soft-bodied object, which resulted in the sudden stoppage of the tailrotor and the catastrophic failure of the tailrotor assembly and its mount structure.NTSB CEN19LA174Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Key West, FLThe failure of maintenance personnel to properly secure the right-side tail boom mounting bolts which resulted in the failure of the bolts and an inflight separation of the tail rotor.NTSB CEN19LA065Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Uvalde, TXThe slipping of the sprag clutch due to galling of the sprags and corresponding sprag contact surfaces within the clutch assembly, which rendered the helicopter uncontrollable.NTSB CEN18LA247Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSafari 400 · Aguilares, TXThe loss of tail rotor control due to the in-flight failure of the tail rotor pinion.NTSB CEN17LA375Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH 12A · Griffith, INThe loss of tail rotor thrust due to a failed tail rotor driveshaft, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor control and a hard landing.NTSB WPR17LA002Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTamarack Helicopters UH-1H · Gila Bend, AZThe separation of the 90° tail rotor gearbox assembly as a result of fatigue to the tail rotor gearbox input quill assembly attachment studs due to the helicopter experiencing highly repetitive agricultural flight profiles for which it was not designed.NTSB CEN16LA047Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEurocopter EC120B · Goshen, INThe failure of the Thomas coupling at the interface with the main gear box tail rotor output shaft, which resulted in the helicopter's loss of tail rotor control.NTSB CEN16LA027Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 407 · San Antonio, TXThe failure of the No. 3 tail rotor adapter and shaft due to a loss of torque on the retaining nut. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a requirement to inspect the tail rotor assembly for security in the helicopter manufacturer's maintenance manual…NTSB ERA16LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L 3 · Dickinson, ALThe improper installation by company maintenance personnel of the securing hardware of a tail rotor driveshaft section, which resulted in that section of tail rotor driveshaft disconnecting and a complete loss of tail rotor thrust.NTSB ANC15LA073Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Fort Glenn, AKThe 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 CEN15LA412Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGuisinger Gary G Baby Belle · Stuart, IAThe failure of the tail rotor driveshaft for reasons that could not be determined due to the mechanically and thermally deformed fracture surface.NTSB CEN15LA379Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Ketchum, OKThe 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 ERA15LA218Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Kearny, NJThe deliberate concealment and reuse of an unairworthy tail rotor driveshaft by unknown personnel, which resulted in an overstress separation at a bonded flange adapter as a result of driveshaft imbalance.NTSB WPR14LA225Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEmery Mark Rotorway 162F · Merced, CAThe helicopter pilot/owner's decision to install a belt type not recommended by the kit manufacturer in the tail rotor drive system using the incorrect tension values, which led to the belt’s in-flight failure and the subsequent loss of tail rotor drive…NTSB ERA13LA390Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportContinental Copters 47G · Sandy Hook, KYThe in-flight disengagement of the tail rotor extension shaft from the tail rotor gearbox, resulting in a loss of tail rotor control.NTSB ANC13TA076Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell UH-1B · Tok, AKThe failure of the tail rotor crosshead bearing, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor control.NTSB CEN13FA192Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-76A++ · Grand Lake, LAFracture 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 ANC13FA017Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS350 B3 · Beluga, AKThe pilot's failure to stabilize the external load, which led to the synthetic long-line separating about midspan and the remaining line becoming entangled in the tail rotor gearbox output shaft and resulted in the separation of the tail rotor gearbox and…NTSB WPR13FA006Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportGarlick Helicopters UH-1H · Shady Cove, ORThe separation of the tail rotor gearbox and tail rotor assembly as a result of fatigue to the tail rotor gearbox input quill assembly attachment studs.NTSB ANC12CA100Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAerospatiale AS350 B2 · Talkeetna, AKThe entanglement of a plastic tarp in the helicopter’s tail rotor after becoming dislodged from its securement.NTSB CEN12LA525Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 214ST · Avalon, TXMaintenance personnel’s failure to properly torque the retaining nut and install the cotter pin that secured the helicopter’s tail rotor counterweight bellcrank. Contributing to the accident was the lack of detailed maintenance records that documented…NTSB ERA12LA368Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Piney Flats, TNThe mechanic’s improper maintenance of the main transmission aft pinion nut and belt drive system, which resulted in the uncoupling of the tail rotor driveshaft and the subsequent loss of helicopter control.NTSB CEN12LA181Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSikorsky 269C · Staples, TXThe pilot's failure to attain the proper descent rate during autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident were the inflight vibrations and loss of torque pedal response for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN12LA120Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportContinental Copters 47G2 · Lohn, TXThe improper installation of the tail rotor gearbox by maintenance personnel, which led to accelerated wear of the ring and pinion gears, resulting in the loss of tail rotor effectiveness and subsequent forced landing.NTSB WPR11LA282Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH12E · Hanford, CAThe separation of the tail rotor drive gear shaft due to torsional fatigue of its threaded portion, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor control.NTSB CEN11LA414Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom F-28C-2 · Blair, NEThe failure of a tail rotor pitch change link due to the retaining bolt becoming separated in flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection.NTSB CEN11LA315Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269B · Edgerton, INA loss of clearance between the tail rotor drive shaft and the tailboom bulkhead for undetermined reasons, which resulted in the overstress failure of the drive shaft.NTSB CEN11IA156Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportSikorsky 92 · Galliano, LAThe misalignment of the retaining washer during routine maintenance, resulting in the subsequent separation of the washer and nut.NTSB WPR09LA226Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMD Helicopter 369FF · Santa Clarita, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering at low altitude as a result of the helicopter's grappling hook temporarily becoming ensnared with an underwater obstruction.NTSB NYC08CA252Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBuschmann Robert E Helicycle · Stuart, FLThe pilot's improper decision to take off with a known discrepancy. Contributing to the accident was spilled fuel on the drive belts.NTSB LAX08LA183Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Topanga, CAThe in-flight separation of the tail rotor gear box for an undetermined reason. Contributing to the accident was the hilly terrain, which was unsuitable for a forced landing.NTSB CHI08LA104Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportVic Tatelman Baby Belle · Lakeland, FLThe failure of the tailrotor driveshaft hanger bearing and jamming of the tailrotor.NTSB DFW08LA100Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Quinton, OKAn undetermined mechanical malfuction associated with the tail rotor drive system which led to a loss of control.NTSB NYC08FA134Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta II · Wilmington, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain proper rotor rpm after a partial loss of engine power.