NTSB investigations
49 cases where the first occurrence was “Rotor failure/malfunction”.
Cases per year
| 1994 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 4 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
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 o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 132) 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 o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 132) 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 DFW07LA197Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta · Fort Stockton, TXThe failure of the v-belt drive system to the main rotor for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was insufficient altitude to perform a successful autorotation.NTSB MIA07FA116Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportEurocopter EC 130 B4 · New York, NYThe fatigue fracture and in-flight separation of a 20-inch section of the blue composite main rotor blade trailing edge, aft of the spar, due to inadequate manufacture, and the manufacturer’s subsequent failure to detect an out-of-specification deviation in…NTSB DFW06LA093Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-76A · Houston, TXThe failure by maintenance personnel to secure the tail rotor driveshaft cowling after performing maintenance which resulted in a loss of tail rotor control. A contributing factor was the pilot's improper preflight inspection of the tail rotor driveshaft area.NTSB DFW06CA055Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47-B3 · Dennison, TXThe in-flight separation of the stabilizer bar tube.NTSB LAX05FA229Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportEurocopter AS350BA · Kapaau, HIthe in-flight separation of the tail rotor system as a result of a loss of clamp force and fatigue fracturing of the attachment nut plates. The cause of the loss of clamp force was likely due to an inadvertent tail rotor blade strike during the previous…NTSB DFW05CA163Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCarterCopter CarterCopter · Olney, TXThe pilot's inability to maintain control of the gyrocraft during a forced landing as a result of a loss of cyclic and collective control. Contributing factors were the sheared propeller drive pulley bolts, broken wire on the co-pilots cyclic boost control…NTSB SEA05FA019Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Arlington, WAThe divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation for an undetermined reason, resulting in rotor contact with the aircraft's left windscreen. The failure of the door pins to be installed was a factor.NTSB FTW04IA217Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBell 412 · South Pass 65The failure and separation of the tail rotor gearbox for undetermined reasons.NTSB IAD04LA013Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · Media, PAA lack of previous lubrication to the tail rotor drive shaft forward fitting teeth, which resulted in their gradual wear, the eventual slippage of the shaft, and the subsequent loss of tailrotor thrust and forced landing.NTSB SEA04LA043Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGarlick UH-1H · Liberty, WAThe failure of the tail rotor slider lugs due to fatigue while the helicopter was maneuvering.NTSB SEA04LA018Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B-2 · Monmouth, ORFatigue failure of a tail rotor blade during hover operations.NTSB FTW04TA012Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportHughes OH-6A · Eagle Pass, TXThe failure of the aft segment of the tail rotor drive shaft for undertermined reasons. A contibuting factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the foced landing.NTSB CHI03LA217Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEnstrom F-28C · Waverly, IAThe main rotor blade push-pull rods being corroded, sustaining fatigue, and separating in cruise and the main rotor blade contacting the tail boom during the emergency landing. Factors were the diminished aircraft control and the vibrations encountered during…NTSB FTW03TA156Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell 407 · Franklin, LAThe loss of tail rotor effectiveness due to the inadequate maintenance performed by other company personnel.NTSB FTW03LA104Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-3 · Kingsland, TXThe loss of tail rotor drive as a result of a blanket coming in contract with the tailrotor blades, after the aft cargo door was left unsecured. Contributing factors were the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing, and the failure of the medical…NTSB CHI03LA006Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWolf Rotorway Exec-162F · Gregory, MIFailure of the secondary drive shaft, which resulted in a complete loss of power to the main rotor, and a high forward airspeed on touchdown, causing the helicopter to flip forward.NTSB LAX02FA276Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 222U · Nipton, CAThe main rotor blade separation while maneuvering for unknown reasons. A factor was the dark night condition.NTSB CHI02TA239Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportHughes 369A · Springfield, MOOverload failure of the tail rotor transmission housing (gearbox) for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an inability to adequately control the aircraft.NTSB ATL02LA044Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH12E · Miami, FLFatigue cracking in the main rotor hub that resulted in the separation of the main rotor system. A factor was corrosive deposits on the exposed portion of the plate set pin.NTSB NYC02TA026Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBell 407 · Whitley City, KYThe pilots decision to operate the helicopter at an airspeed in excess of the maximum demonstrated stable airspeed for the water bucket. A factor in the accident was the pilot did not follow the published emergency procedure.NTSB NYC01LA168Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · Secaucus, NJUnder torque of a Thomas coupling self-locking nut for undetermined reasons, which resulted in the loss of the corresponding retaining bolt, and subsequent separation of tail rotor drive shaft segments. A factor was the unsuitable terrain beneath the pilot…NTSB CHI01LA162Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGiackino Exec 162F · Manistique, MIThe contamination of the main rotor drive belts causing them to slip. Factors were the low altitude, unsuitable terrain for the forced landing, and the water.NTSB FTW01LA124Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Raymondville, TXthe failure of the main rotor drive belts while maneuvering which resulted in a loss of main rotor drive. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB CHI01LA141Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportParker Rotorway 162F · Minneapolis, MNThe tail rotor drive belt coming off in cruise flight and it not being possible for the student pilot to maintain aircraft control during the emergency landing attempt. Factors relating to the accident were the loose bearing in the secondary drive unit to the…NTSB FTW01LA087Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G2 · Ardmore, OKthe loss of tail rotor control during maneuvering resultant from the failure of the tail rotor drive shaft coupling due to a stripped thread which allowed the grease lubricating the shaft to leak out. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced…NTSB DEN01LA067Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Buffalo, WYfailure of the rotor drive system clutch assembly which rendered the aircraft uncontrollable.NTSB DEN01TA019Accident · No injuriesFinal reportHughes 369D · Montrose, COthe foreign object damage to a main rotor blade, while maneuvering.NTSB LAX00FA306Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta · Watsonville, CAThe divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation for an undetermined reason, which resulted in mast bumping and rotor contact with the fuselage.NTSB FTW00LA105Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 300C · New Ulm, TXThe pilot's inadequate in-flight evaluation of the landing area, which resulted in the separation of the main rotor system as a result of foreign object damage.NTSB FTW99FA192Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportMBB BK-117-B2 · Fresno, TXthe loss of control during approach due to the corrosion of the T-T strap which resulted in fatigue cracking and subsequent separation of the strap and main rotor blade from the helicopter.NTSB FTW99LA162Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 412 · Eugene Is. 313The separation of a section of the tail rotor blade, and subsequent separation of the tail rotor system, as a result of fatigue cracking due to corrosion in the tail rotor blade spar.NTSB LAX98TA278Accident · No injuriesFinal reportAerospatiale SA316B · Porterville, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate in-flight clearance between the bucket and trees resulting in the entanglement/separation of the long line and subsequent impact with and separation of the tail rotor assembly. A factor was the trees.NTSB CHI98FA313Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHiller FH-1100 · Dewitt, MIThe rotor failure/malfunction due to debonding of the tail rotor blade. Also causal was the inadequate maintenance inspection of the aircraft by the company and the improper maintenance procedure by other maintenance personnel.NTSB IAD98FA092Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAustin Revolution Mini 500 · Northampton, PAthe improper maintenance adjustment and the failure to properly torque the pitch-change link barrel by the owner/builder which resulted in main rotor to tailboom contact and main rotor separation.NTSB SEA98LA160Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas 369D · Oso, WAThe separation of the 90 degree gearbox and tail rotor assembly for undetermined reasons followed by the inability of the pilot-in-command to maintain control of the rotorcraft.NTSB LAX98FA236Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportSikorsky CH-54A · Yucca Valley, CAAn in-flight main rotor blade spar separation as a result of the pilot-in-command's decision to continue to fly the aircraft after it had failed an AD directed BIM check. Factors were the failure of the operator's chief pilot to maintain proper supervision…NTSB SEA98LA124Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Eltopia, WAFatigue of the control rotor blade spar and failure of the maintenance inspector to follow the procedures set forth in the airworthiness directive.NTSB ATL98LA065Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer 269C · San Juan, PRThe pilot's failure to adequately secure the cargo strap which became entangled in the tail rotor, leading to a loss of the tail rotor control. This was followed by an improperly executed emergency procedure and an in-flight collision with the ground. A…NTSB LAX98GA127Accident · 4 fatalFinal reportBell 205A-1 · Los Angeles, CAAn excessive bending load applied to the tail rotor blade assembly of an undetermined origin which produced a fatigue crack, the separation of the assembly, and a forced landing. Factors were the lack of suitable terrain to perform a forced landing, the…NTSB SEA97LA117Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Miltonfreewater, ORThe main rotor blade separated due to fatigue. Factors were: an Airworthiness Directive was not properly performed, and inadequate inspection of the main rotor blades.NTSB MIA97LA099Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Labelle, FLCompany maintenance personnel's failure to properly evaluate a main rotor system problem resulting in main rotor straps with multiple laminates separated due to fatigue cracking being allowed to continue in service until failure and separation of a main rotor…NTSB FTW96LA386Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1/C-30P · Morgan City, LAThe loss of tail rotor control as result of a tail rotor blade strike by an undetermined object. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB LAX96LA315Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47-G4A · Guamloss of tail rotor control due to improper maintenance.NTSB IAD96LA094Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRotorway Exec 152 · Gretna, VAfailure of the bearing assembly shaft insert inside the main rotor shaft. Related factors are the jammed rotorcraft flight control which restricted the pilot's ability to control the helicopter and resulted in a hard touchdown.NTSB CHI95FA320Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 230 · Ann Arbor, MIthe manufacturer's inadequate quality control which led to a fatigue failure of the tail rotor blade.NTSB LAX95TA328Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas 369D · Pearl City, HIThe pilot's failure to secure his cargo/personal belongings which departed from the aircraft and struck the tail rotor.NTSB FTW95LA303Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206B · West CameronThe disconnect of the tail rotor drive system for undetermined reasons. Factors were the pilot's inability to maintain directional control, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB LAX95FA225Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportHughes 369D · Highland, CAthe pilot's failure to verify the security of his passenger's cargo/personal belongings which departed the aircraft striking the tailrotor.NTSB LAX94LA285Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369HS · Gilbert Islands (Pacific Ocean)An in flight failure and separation of the tail rotor for undetermined reasons.