Incident Details
During cruise flight, an unsecured jacket within the helicopter departed the cabin through an open window. The jacket subsequently made contact with the tail rotor assembly. As a direct result, the tail rotor drive shaft sheared.
Sequence of Events
Following the drive shaft failure, the pilot initiated a forced landing to an orchard. During the landing phase, the main rotor blades struck the tailboom, causing it to separate from the helicopter.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter were noted that would have precluded normal operation. The event was solely attributed to the unsecured jacket.