Incident Overview
On February 6, 2013, at approximately 1750 central standard time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, registration N276RC, experienced a tail rotor strike during takeoff from Tulsa International Airport (TUL), Tulsa, Oklahoma. The helicopter was operated by Crumpton Aviation LLC under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight. The commercial pilot was not injured. The tail rotor blades sustained substantial damage. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Richard Lloyd Jones Jr. Airport (KRVS), Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Sequence of Events
After fuel servicing by fixed base operator personnel, the pilot lifted off from the ramp area and began a turn to the southwest. While climbing through 150 feet above ground level, the pilot reported a loud bang followed by a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. The pilot executed an autorotation landing on a concrete ramp at the airport.
Examination Findings
During examination of the accident site, investigators found two fractured tail rotor blades and a damaged fueling mat on a path between the initial liftoff point of the helicopter and its landing location. Examination of the tail rotor blades indicated that the damage was consistent with contact by the fueling mat.