# NTSB CHI08LA104: Vic Tatelman Baby Belle, N6261N, Lakeland, FL, April 9, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 9, 2008, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Lakeland, FL - Coordinates: 27.994075, -82.014936 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9941&lon=-82.0149&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68224 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08LA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68224/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08LA104 ## Probable cause The failure of the tailrotor driveshaft hanger bearing and jamming of the tailrotor. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Tail rotor drive system: tail rotor drive shaft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046510): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Tatelman Victor W BABY BELLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046510/cases.md?model=05607Y7), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Tatelman Victor W BABY BELLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05607Y7), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Tatelman Victor W BABY BELLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=05607Y7), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Tatelman Victor W BABY BELLE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05607Y7), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was demonstrating a hovering maneuver during an airshow. During this maneuver, the helicopter began an uncommanded left turn and landed hard causing substantial damage. Inspection revealed that the #1 tailrotor drive shaft hanger bearing failed, then the tailrotor RPM sensor broke loose, and the tailrotor became jammed. ## Factual narrative On April 9, 2008, at 1200 edt, a Baby Belle, experimental rotorcraft, N6261N, landed hard at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Florida, after experiencing a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. The experimental rotorcraft was substantially damaged. The pilot, the only occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight had departed Lakeland and was demonstrating a low altitude right pedal turn as part of the Sun n' Fun airshow. The pilot reported that the aircraft had a Revolutions per Minute (RPM) sensor that got engaged in the tailrotor drive shaft, eventually breaking the shaft. An FAA inspector looked at the failure and said the rotor RPM sensor started vibrating due to the failure of the #1 hanger bearing, resulting in failure of the tail rotor drive shaft, and a jammed tail rotor. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6261N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6261N-2012-01-10), registration cancelled 2012-01-10, S/N VWT-5, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VIC TATELMAN BABY BELLE - Registry model: [Tatelman Victor W BABY BELLE](https://openairdocs.org/model/tatelman-victor-w-baby-belle) (registry code 05607Y7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: VWT-5 - Airframe hours: 100 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Air race/show, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: LAKELAND, FL - Destination: LAKELAND, FL - Airport: KLAL, Lakeland Linder Regional Airpo ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 15, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 11 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KLAL ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20080409836979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080409836979A), Apr 9, 2008: Amtr BABYBELLE, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) While in a hover, pilot was demonstrating a right pedal turn as part of the sun n fun airshow. Pilot lost tail rotor control and struck ground hard. Tail… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- 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.