NTSB Prelim: Robinson R44 | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-06.23.25

Airborne-NextGen-06.24.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.25.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.26.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.27.25

Sun, Aug 25, 2024

NTSB Prelim: Robinson R44

Tail Rotor Push Pull Tube Was Found Bent And Severed Aft Of The Tail Rotor Gear Box Near The Bell Crank Assembly

Location: Honolulu, HI Accident Number: ANC24LA077
Date & Time: August 18, 2024, 16:00 Local Registration: N740RH
Aircraft: Robinson R44 Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi & commuter - Non-scheduled - Sightseeing

On August 18, 2024, about 1600 Hawaii-Aleutian standard time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N740RH sustained substantial damage when it was involved in a pre-take off accident near Honolulu, Hawaii. The pilot was uninjured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 sightseeing flight.

The flight operated by Novictor Aviation, DBA Rainbow Helicopters, was preparing to depart on the fourth flightseeing tour of the day. The pilot stated she started the engine and engaged the main rotor clutch prior to boarding the passengers. As the main rotor system began to engage, she felt and saw the left pedal deflect full forward without any control input. The pilot immediately shut down the engine, stopped the rotors and exited the helicopter to inspect the tail rotor assembly. The tail rotor push pull tube was found bent and severed aft of the tail rotor gear box near the bell crank assembly.

A detailed post-accident examination revealed that the tail rotor push-pull tube fractured near the bell crank assembly of the tail rotor gearbox. Once the tail rotor gearbox was removed, it revealed a bolt missing from the flex coupling/yoke flange assembly just forward of the tail rotor gearbox. The bolt and nut were subsequently found inside the tail boom, near the tail rotor gearbox. Additionally, the severed tail rotor push-pull tube was found wrapped around the tail rotor drive shaft.

Additionally, corresponding witness marks on the damaged push-pull tube matched the circumference of the bolt found within the tail boom.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov 

Advertisement

More News

NTSB Prelim: Piper PA-23

Pilot Also Reported That Due To A Fuel Leak, The Auxiliary Fuel Tanks Were Not Used On June 4, 2025, at 13:41 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23, N2109P, was substantially damage>[...]

ANN FAQ: Submit a News Story!

Have A Story That NEEDS To Be Featured On Aero-News? Here’s How To Submit A Story To Our Team Some of the greatest new stories ANN has ever covered have been submitted by our>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: One Man’s Vietnam

From 2023 (YouTube Edition): Reflections on War’s Collective Lessons and Cyclical Nature The exigencies of war ought be colorblind. Inane social-constructs the likes of racis>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (07.03.25)

Aero Linx: Colorado Pilots Association (CPA) Colorado Pilots Association was incorporated as a Colorado Nonprofit Corporation in 1972. It is a statewide organization with over 700 >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (07.03.25): High Speed Taxiway

High Speed Taxiway A long radius taxiway designed and provided with lighting or marking to define the path of aircraft, traveling at high speed (up to 60 knots), from the runway ce>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC