Summary
On March 05, 2015, a Bell 407 (N41BH) was involved in an incident near Justin, TX. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: Abnormal ground contact during an autorotation demonstration, resulting in a severed tailrotor driveshaft.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA15CA002. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N41BH.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
Abnormal ground contact during an autorotation demonstration, resulting in a severed tailrotor driveshaft.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
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