Accident Overview
On July 4, 2011, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44, registration N64JM, operated by 64JM LLC, experienced a loss of anti-torque control while hovering at Lakewood Airport (N12), Lakewood, New Jersey. The helicopter sustained substantial damage during a subsequent hovering autorotation. The certificated commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight from N12 to Monmouth Executive Airport (BLM), Belmar/Farmingdale, New Jersey. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to reposition the helicopter to BLM. While facing southeast with the wind from the southwest at 3 knots, as soon as he lifted to a hover and began to move forward, he lost complete anti-torque control. The helicopter began to spin to the right, and he applied full left pedal input but the spin continued. He maneuvered the helicopter away from nearby aircraft and into a clear area, where he executed a hovering autorotation. Upon touchdown, the skids spread, and the occupants exited the helicopter.
Postaccident Inspection
A postaccident inspection of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the tail rotor drive system components.
Rotorcraft Flying Handbook Description
The Rotorcraft Flying Handbook indicates that unanticipated yaw/loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE) is the occurrence of an uncommanded yaw rate that does not subside of its own accord and, which, if not corrected, can result in the loss of helicopter control. LTE that is not attributed to equipment or maintenance malfunction may occur in all single-rotor helicopters at airspeeds less than 30 knots. It is the result of the tail rotor not providing adequate thrust to maintain directional control and is usually caused by either certain wind azimuths (directions) while hovering or by an insufficient tail rotor thrust for a given power setting at higher altitudes.