Pilot Debrief

BELL 407 near Justin, TX — 2015-03-05

Final reportGAA15CA002
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Date
2015-03-05
Location
Justin, TX, USA
Airport
KAFW
Aircraft
BELL 407
Registration
N41BH
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

Abnormal ground contact during an autorotation demonstration, resulting in a severed tailrotor driveshaft.

NTSB narrative

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.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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