What happened
On August 16, 2025, at 11:50 CDT, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, registration N24DF, was conducting a Part 91 air tour flight near Cape Girardeau, Missouri. During an enroute descent toward the destination airport, the pilot experienced a loud vibration and a simultaneous loss of tail rotor authority.
During the vibration event, the pilot noted that the alternator warning annunciator light illuminated, though no reduction in engine or rotor RPM was observed. In response to the loss of control authority, the pilot initiated an autorotation to a nearby field. The helicopter landed hard, causing the main rotor to strike the tail boom. All 4 occupants were not injured.
The investigation
The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor, the tail rotor drive system, the tail boom, and the main rotor. The helicopter was retained for further examination.