Accident Sequence
The pilot, who had accumulated 2,000 hours of flight experience, reported that after an uneventful departure, while climbing at an altitude of approximately 500 to 800 feet and an airspeed of 90 knots, a loud "bang" was heard. Following the bang, the helicopter lost tail rotor effectiveness, forcing the aircraft into a sideways, nose-down attitude. The pilot executed an autorotation and made a hard landing into a field under dusk light conditions. The helicopter came to rest on its left side.
Examination Findings
An FAA inspector who responded to the site examined the wreckage. Fly-away items and some medical supplies, normally stored in the baggage compartment, were found scattered along the route of flight short of the main wreckage. The baggage compartment door was examined and found to have both door latches unlatched, with the door partially open.
Further examination of the tail rotor drive shaft revealed a torsional fracture. Frayed fibers and material consistent with clothing or a blanket were found throughout the tail rotor assembly and tail rotor hub.
The pilot also reported that there were two oxygen containers in the cargo compartment that were stacked on one another and reached approximately the same height as the latch release button on the interior side of the baggage compartment door.