Incident Overview
A commercial pilot with 4,900 hours of flight experience was operating a single-engine helicopter during a photographic mission. The aircraft was at an altitude of approximately 1,500 feet mean sea level (MSL) and an indicated airspeed of about 45 knots when the pilot heard a loud bang and simultaneously felt erratic movement in the cyclic control.
Pilot Actions
Immediately after the event, the pilot began searching for a suitable landing area. He increased airspeed and proceeded toward a vacant football field. As the helicopter approached the field on final, the airspeed decayed and the helicopter began to spin. The pilot then opted to execute an autorotation. The helicopter landed upright with no further damage.
Occupant Status
The pilot and his passenger were not injured.
Post-Inspection Findings
An FAA inspector who examined the accident site reported that one stabilizer tube from the mast control stabilizer bar assembly had separated from the main rotor system. After separation, the tube struck the tail rotor assembly. Approximately 3 inches of one tail rotor blade was found fractured, and the 90-degree tail rotor gear box had separated from the tail rotor drive shaft.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the incident, the wind was reported from 360 degrees at 22 knots, gusting to 29 knots.