Tail Rotor Blade and Pitch Change Links Found Damaged

Every time I start getting lax about my pre-flight habits, a perusal of recent NTSB accident summaries brings me back to reality... and makes me far more attentive to the process of making sure that my aircraft truly is ready for flight. Here's one more case in which some extra attention could have prevented a lot of damage... and a potential accident.

This matter could have ended up FAR worse. -- JRC, E-I-C, ANN

NTSB Identification: WPR10LA200
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, April 09, 2010 in Santa Maria, CA
Aircraft: BELL 222U, registration: N222UT
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On April 9, 2010, about 0124 Pacific daylight time, a Bell 222U, N222UT, owned and operated by California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (dba CALSTAR), was substantially damaged while standing in preparation for takeoff from the company's emergency medical services (EMS) operations base at the Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX), Santa Maria, California. Neither the airline transport certificated pilot nor the two flight nurses were injured during the positioning flight that was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the dark nighttime flight, and a company flight plan had been filed. The flight was originating at the time of the mishap.

CALSTAR personnel reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that at SMX, prior to the pilot's 0110 flight assignment duty call, one of the tail rotor blades had been tied down to the helicopter's tail boom with a strap. Following the pilot's engine start operation, as the tail rotor blades began rotating in preparation for takeoff, the tie down strap broke.

Unaware of the mishap, the pilot departed SMX and flew to the Marian Medical Center Heliport in Santa Maria (1CL8) and landed about 0131. Just prior to the pilot's 0242 departure for the EMS flight with a patient and passenger on board, one of the pilot's flight nurses who was standing outside the helicopter observed material attached to the helicopter's tail rotor area. The nurse brought the anomaly to the pilot's attention. The pilot shut down the engine and examined the helicopter. Nylon webbing was found wrapped around the tail rotor's drive shaft. The material was removed and the pilot inspected the helicopter. Believing that the helicopter was undamaged, the pilot departed 1CL8 and flew under Part 135 to a medical facility in Madera, California, landing about 0345.

Thereafter, with better illumination, the pilot performed a more detailed inspection of the helicopter during which he observed damage to one tail rotor blade and other anomalies. The pilot notified CALSTAR's management of his observations, and the helicopter was immediately taken out of service for repairs.

CALSTAR's director of maintenance (DM) fully assessed damage to the helicopter following its transport back to the maintenance base. One of the tail rotor blades was found damaged. Its associated pitch change links (helicopter components) were also found damaged. To restore the helicopter's airworthiness, these items are being replaced prior to further flight.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20100412X93228&key=1