Incident Summary
On 3 May 2003, a Hughes 369HS helicopter, registration G-SOOC, was being flown on a private flight from a site near Newark, Nottinghamshire, to the Hambleton Hotel at Rutland Water. The pilot, aged 65 with 523 total flight hours (218 on type), made an approach into wind and landed on a grassy slope that sloped down from right to left. After lunch, the pilot and three passengers prepared for the return flight. The wind was approximately 10° to 20° left of the helicopter nose at about 10 kt.
During takeoff, the pilot lifted the helicopter into a low hover of two to four feet skid height. He noted the torque required to hover was approximately 90%, and engine instruments were at the upper end of the normal green bands. As he looked up, the helicopter began yawing to the right. The pilot applied left tail rotor pedal, but the yaw continued despite full left pedal. The helicopter rotated rapidly through 45° and continued into a second rotation. Believing a tail rotor failure had occurred, the pilot closed the throttle to idle. The helicopter descended, and upon skid contact with the ground, the yawing stopped. The helicopter remained upright, facing down the slope. As it settled, the pilot heard a grinding noise and shut down the engine.
Aircraft Examination
An on-site examination by a licensed engineer experienced on type found no evidence of an in-flight mechanical malfunction. The tail rotor drive train was intact, and the tail rotor control system was fully functional from stop to stop. Damage to the tail rotor shaft was consistent with blades striking the ground. The engine anti-icing selector switch was found in the 'ON' position, but the pilot did not recall selecting it, and ambient conditions did not require its use.
Conclusions
The pilot believed the helicopter experienced a loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). Despite prompt application of full left tail rotor pedal, he was unable to stop the right yaw. As the helicopter touched down, the tail rotor blades struck the ground, breaking off large sections. In the absence of any airborne mechanical failure, the pilot surmised he was not quick enough in applying pedal to arrest the initial yaw.