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August 27, 2021 · Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA · N827SH

Arnaudville, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 27, 2021
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Arnaudville, LA
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (2005)
Tail Number
N827SH
Operator
1 Acadiana Helicopters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA389

While attempting to land at a staging location for a planned aerial application flight, the helicopter began to rotate to the right. The pilot was unable to regain control. The helicopter skids impacted a dirt field, and the helicopter rolled over onto its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to its main rotor blades and fuselage. Disassembly of the helicopter for recovery revealed the tail rotor output shaft was fractured into two pieces. Examination of the output shaft revealed the fracture occurred between the mating tapered roller bearing and the bevel gear. The bevel gear side surface displayed progressive crack arrest marks consistent with fatigue cracking. Due to smear damage on the other fracture, it could not be determined if the fatigue cracking was the result of unidirectional bending fatigue (one origin) or reverse bending fatigue (two origins). The tail rotor output shaft function is to drive the tail rotor blades. A failed tail rotor output shaft would result in the loss of drive to the tail rotor blades, which in turn would cause a loss of tail rotor thrust to counter main rotor torque and loss of yaw control.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of tail rotor drive due to a fatigue failure of the tail rotor gearbox output shaft, which resulted in a loss of control during landing.

Full Narrative

On August 27, 2021, about 0800 central daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N827SH, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Arnaudville, Louisiana. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. According to the pilot, while attempting to land at his staging location for a planned aerial application flight, the helicopter began to rotate to the right. The pilot was unable to regain control; the helicopter skids impact a dirt field, and the helicopter rolled over onto its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to its main rotor blades and fuselage. While disassembling the helicopter for recovery, the tail rotor output shaft was found fractured into two pieces. The shaft was retained for further examination by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Materials Laboratory. According to Robinson Helicopters, the tail rotor gearbox contains a splash-lubricated spiral-bevel gear set. The function of the tail rotor output shaft is to drive the tail rotor blades. A failed tail rotor output shaft results in the loss of drive to the tail rotor blades, which in turn causes a loss of tail rotor thrust to counter main rotor torque and loss of yaw control. A review of the helicopter records revealed a serviceable tail rotor gearbox (serial number 3242) was installed on April 18, 2020, at a total helicopter time of 4,255.6 hours. The helicopter total time at the time of the accident was not reported. NTSB Material Laboratory examination of the output shaft revealed the fracture occurred between the mating tapered roller bearing and the bevel gear. Heavy smearing damage was observed on both fracture surfaces. The damage was likely secondary and due to contact of the fracture surfaces post-separation. The bevel gear side surface displayed progressive crack arrest marks consistent with fatigue cracking. Due to smear damage on the other fracture, it could not be determined if the fatigue cracking was the result of unidirectional bending fatigue (one origin) or reverse bending fatigue (two origins).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson Helicopter R22 BETA
Tail NumberN827SH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operator1 Acadiana Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-J2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 3 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Observation Time06:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data