Accidents
Business Aircraft Accident Reports: August 2024
Preliminary and final accident reports, August 2024
rural runway

Preliminary Reports

Unsecured Bearing Was Recently Replaced

Airbus Helicopters AS350, May 1, 2024, Plant City, Florida

Following a low-altitude loss of yaw control that necessitated an emergency autorotation in a field, investigators discovered that the aftmost hanger bearing supporting the tail rotor drive shaft had not been properly secured. One of the two bolts holding it in place was found loose in the tailboom; the other was still in place, but its nut was not correctly seated. All five hanger bearings had been replaced during scheduled maintenance some 12.3 flight hours earlier.

The helicopter was operated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.