Event Description
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot had a cargo strap in an external basket. The strap blew out of the container and wrapped around the tail rotor, damaging the pitch change links and the 90-degree gearbox.
During a run-on landing, the pilot attempted to hover. The helicopter began spinning and subsequently impacted the ground. The pilot reported hearing a bang and then losing control of the anti-torque rotor pedals. Prior to touchdown, the helicopter yawed to the right, completed a 360-degree turn, and impacted the ground.
Manufacturer and Regulatory Guidance
The Schweizer Aircraft Corp. Pilot's Flight Manual states that in the event of a tail rotor failure, a pilot should enter autorotation. The FAA's Advisory Circular 61-13B notes that during a run-on landing procedure, directional control should be maintained with cyclic control and by applying throttle to swing the nose to the right. It advises against attempting to hover during a run-on landing because it places the helicopter at a high power setting. Autorotation should be used if the tail rotor failure occurs during a hover or if dangerous attitudes are incurred through the addition of power.