What was found
AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF TAIL ROTOR CONTROL DURING FLIGHT REQUIRING THE PILOT TO CONDUCT A HOVERING AUTOROTATION THAT DAMAGED THE LANDING GEAR AND BELLY OF THE AIRCRAFT. POST INCIDENT SHOWED TAIL ROTOR CONTROLLABILITY AND CONTINUITY FROM THE PEDDLES TO THE 90 DEGREE GEAR BOX. THE TAIL ROTOR PITH CONTROL TUBE WAS NOT CONNECTED TO THE TAIL ROTOR PITCH CONTROL QUILL. THE COMPONENT IS NOT TIME TRACKED, BUT IT IS ESTIMATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 700 HOURS OF OPERATIONAL TIME IS ON THESE AIRFRAMES.