SDR 99ZZZX2840

Service difficulty report · Blade · Bell 412

Difficulty date
July 15, 1999
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N3893S
Make and model
Bell 412
Aircraft serial
33022
Part
Blade
Part number
212010750105
Condition
Cracked
Location
Tail Rotor
Component
212011701101
Stage of operation
NR
Nature of condition
D
Precautionary procedure
A

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

TAIL ROTOR BLADE FAILED IN-FLIGHT. APPROXIMATELY 14 INCHES OF THE OUTBOARD END OF ONE TAIL ROTOR BLADE SEPARATED CAUSING AN IMBALANCE CONDITION WHICH CAUSED THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY AND TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX TO SEPARATE THE AIRCRAFT. ENGINEERING EVALUATION FOF THE FAILED BLADE REVEALED THE FAILURE ORIGINATED FROM A STRESS FRACTURE THAT WAS CAUSED BY CORROSION IN THE INSIDE OF THE BLADE SKIN.

More about the Bell 412