Accident Details
Date
Thursday, March 5, 2015
NTSB Number
GAA15CA002
Location
Justin, TX
Event ID
20150309X04646
Coordinates
33.049446, -97.292778
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2
Probable Cause and Findings
Abnormal ground contact during an autorotation demonstration, resulting in a severed tailrotor driveshaft.
Aircraft Information
Registration
N41BH
Make
BELL
Serial Number
53183
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Registered Owner (Historical)
Name
BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC
Address
3255 BELL HELICOPTER BLVD
Status
Deregistered
City
FORT WORTH
State / Zip Code
TX 76118-7630
Country
United States
Analysis
The helicopter instructor was demonstrating a full down 180 degree auto rotation. He reported that everything was done normally and as he flared to slow the aircraft down, the tail skid lightly bumped the ground a couple of times. The skids eventually made contact with the ground and the helicopter slid about 20 feet to a stop. A post landing examination of the helicopter revealed that the main rotor blade had contacted the tailboom, severing the tailrotor drive shaft.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA15CA002