Accident Sequence
The helicopter broke up while in cruise flight. Witnesses reported seeing components separate from the helicopter as it flew overhead. One witness described a portion of the tail rotor detaching, after which the helicopter pitched to the right and the main rotor separated. Another witness heard a "pop" and observed the main rotor slow down, wobble, stop turning, and then break away from the helicopter, traveling forward relative to the aircraft. The helicopter subsequently pitched nose forward and descended nearly vertically.
Examination Findings
After the accident, the main rotor assembly was located approximately 450 feet east of the main wreckage site. Tail rotor components were found with the main wreckage. Metallurgical examination of the left cluster fitting lugs (part number 269A2234), which attach to the left tail boom strut, determined that they had failed due to fatigue.