Helicopter Made An Uncommanded Climb And Started To Spin To The Right

Location: Port Orange, FL Accident Number: ERA21LA339
Date & Time: August 21, 2021, 13:30 Local Registration: N9285
Aircraft: Enstrom Helicopter Corp 280C Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On August 21, 2021, about 1330 eastern daylight time, an Enstrom 280C, N9285, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Daytona Beach, Florida. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, he conducted a local flight around the airport and was approaching to land. Just prior to touchdown, the helicopter made an uncommanded climb and started to spin to the right. The pilot applied full left pedal, but the helicopter continued to spin to the right. He lowered the collective and the helicopter landed hard on the skids. The left skid was damaged during landing and the tail rotor contacted the ground damaging the tail rotor blades.

Examination of the helicopter revealed that the tail rotor drive shaft was spinning inside the coupling and not connected by a through bolt. The coupling and a section of the drive shaft was forwarded to the National Transportation Safety Board’s Material Laboratory for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov