NTSB investigations

28 cases where NTSB found Main rotor control.

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations per year, 2008–2026: 28 cases
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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\", '01046710'))
  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 CEN24FA248Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRotorway Scorpion 133 · Andale, KSThe pilot’s abrupt control inputs, which resulted in a low-G condition, main rotor mast bumping, and subsequent severing of the tailboom by the main rotor blades.Jul 5, 2024 · N51017 · DestroyedNTSB WPR24LA134Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Tracy, CAA loss of collective control authority due to fatigue failure of the collective servo cylinder extension arms from corrosion pitting.Apr 23, 2024 · N17592 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA199Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Abbeville, LAThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper helicopter control during autorotation that resulted in an abnormal ground contact which caused the subsequent main rotor strike on the tail boom that severed the tail rotor driveshaft. Contributing to the accident was…May 23, 2023 · N451PH · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23FA183Incident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Brady, TXThe non-certificated pilot’s failure to ensure the collective friction control was adequately engaged during an on-ground engine run, which resulted in the helicopter inadvertently becoming airborne. Contributing to the crash were the pilot’s various physical…May 14, 2023 · N40506 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA070Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Charlotte, NCThe inadequate inspections of the forward left control rod end attachment hardware to the stationary swashplate by the pilot and by maintenance personnel, resulting in an eventual loosening and backing out of the hardware and subsequent loss of helicopter…Nov 22, 2022 · N7094J · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22LA430Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAgusta AW139 · Houma, LAThe inflight loss of collective control of the helicopter due to thermal damage of a collective control torque tube that abraded with misrouted electrical wiring, which resulted in an electrical short and inflight fire. Contributing to the accident were the…Sep 24, 2022 · N811TA · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20LA037Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R22 · Beeville, TXThe solo student pilot's improper cyclic input during takeoff, which resulted in dynamic rollover.Dec 19, 2019 · N695AP · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19FA034Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAutogyro Cavalon · Sebring, FLThe pilot's improper decision to operate the gyroplane in an unairworthy condition, which resulted in the cyclic pitch control disconnecting in flight. Contributing was the pilot's inability to maintain control of the helicopter utilizing the published…Oct 30, 2018 · N198LT · DestroyedNTSB GAA18CA086Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHalley KFT Apollo · North Las Vegas, NVThe pilot’s failure to stop the main rotor rotation before taxiing the gyroplane in gusting wind conditions, resulting in the main rotor striking the empennage.Dec 17, 2017 · N15LU · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18LA004Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportWestern International Avia UH 1H · Arbuckle, CAA collective control malfunction for reasons that could not be determined.Oct 13, 2017 · N247PV · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA258Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportAutogyro Calidus · Stevensville, MDThe pilot’s improper takeoff procedure, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the takeoff.May 4, 2017 · N991TC · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA218Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 206 · La Verne, CAThe pilot’s early increased application of the collective during a simulated hovering autorotation, which resulted in a loss of rotor rpm and subsequent main rotor blade strike of the tailboom.Apr 6, 2017 · N206SA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA16FA248Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Hickory, KYCompany maintenance personnel's inappropriate removal without replacement of the safety wires on the collective lever pin screws during a recent maintenance inspection, which resulted in the screws backing out and led to a loss of collective control in flight.Jul 11, 2016 · N427TV · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16LA099Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBell 47G 5 · San Ardo, CAThe failure of the pin in the outboard end of the lateral flight control torque tube.Apr 29, 2016 · N6288N · Substantial damageNTSB GAA16CA163Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEnstrom F280 · Sodus, NYThe pilot's improper collective application at touchdown during a practice run-on landing, which resulted in the main rotor system impacting the tailboom and the forward portion of the fuselage impacting terrain during remedial action by the flight…Mar 26, 2016 · N5698Y · Substantial damageNTSB GAA15LA296Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206 · Ozark, ALThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while hovering, which resulted in the helicopter's skid impacting terrain, subsequent abnormal airframe vibrations, and a hard landing during the subsequent hovering autorotation.Sep 24, 2015 · N49660 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA15CA258Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAirbus AS350 · Draper, UTThe ground recovery team member's failure to secure a rescue rope during the helicopter loading process in steep terrain, resulting in the rope fouling the helicopter's main rotor system.Sep 9, 2015 · N253HP · Substantial damageNTSB GAA15CA181Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Caldwell, IDAbnormal ground contact during a 180 degree autorotation, resulting in a severed tail rotor driveshaft by a main rotor blade. A factor contributing to the accident was the rotor blowback condition due to the aft tilting of the main rotor disk.Jul 13, 2015 · N184SH · Substantial damageNTSB ANC15LA076Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAirbus AS-350 · Hamilton, MTThe pilot's excessive collective application during an autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the training flight.May 4, 2015 · N504WD · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15LA131Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell-Watson 47 G · North Little Rock, ARThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during the practice touchdown autorotation, which resulted in a subsequent loss of helicopter control and impact with terrain.Jan 29, 2015 · N43762 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN13CA027Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportAerospatiale SA315B · Helena, OKThe pilot's failure to properly secure the cyclic and to stop the main rotor system before exiting the helicopter, which resulted in the main rotor blades striking the tail rotor driveshaft.Oct 19, 2012 · N57948 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN11LA200Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Henryetta, OKFailure of the cyclic control system for reasons undetermined.Feb 23, 2011 · N112AS · Substantial damageNTSB CEN10IA397Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBell 206 · Gulf of Mexico, LAImproper reassembly of the collective flight controls by maintenance personnel. Contributing to the incident were inadequate postmaintenance examinations by maintenance personnel and inadequate preflight inspections by two pilots.Jul 12, 2010 · N523RL · Minor damageNTSB WPR09FA459Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Forest Grove, ORThe flight crew’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor speed while maneuvering, which resulted in a main rotor blade stall and an uncontrolled descent into terrain.Sep 20, 2009 · N956SH · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09LA261Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom Helicopter 280C · Ogden, UTThe pilot's improper use of the helicopter's collective both during the takeoff sequence and while attempting remedial action in response to an engine over-boost condition, which resulted in a hard precautionary landing.May 25, 2009 · N5699N · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09LA028Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Powder River, WYA flight control system malfunction while the helicopter was maneuvering at low altitude due to the failure/separation of the rotor blade control tube.Oct 30, 2008 · N61436 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI08TA239Accident · No injuriesFinal reportEurocopter AS-350-B3 · Mount Clemens, MIThe pilot's unintentional lowering of the collective control during approach to land, resulting in a hard landing.Aug 2, 2008 · N204TU · Substantial damageNTSB DFW08TA092Accident · No injuriesFinal reportRobinson R44 · Topeka, KSA malfunctioning magneto, resulting in a high engine rpm and low rotor warning indications. A contributing factor was the impact with a light pole, during the precautionary landing.Apr 5, 2008 · N402PD · Substantial damage