Tail Rotor Bearing Failure Leads to Fatal Helicopter Crash in Taiwan

Casualties unknown • Approximately 14 nm north of RCSS, TW

An Airbus AS365 N3 helicopter crashed into the sea near Shimen, resulting in two fatalities and three serious injuries due to a mechanical failure in the tail rotor system.

What happened

On March 11, 2016, an Airbus AS365 N3 helicopter, registration NA-107, operated by the National Airborne Service Corps (NASC) crashed into the sea near the coast of Shimen, New Taipei City. The aircraft was conducting a mission to transport personnel to assist in surveying an oil spill near a grounded cargo ship.

During the mission, the crew was performing personnel hoisting operations. While the aircraft was approaching the deck of the cargo ship, the aircraft began to yaw unexpectedly to the left. The pilot attempted to abort the mission, but the aircraft entered a violent, uncontrolled spin. The centrifugal force generated by this motion caused a Coast Guard Administration-Special Services Company (CGA-SSC) member, who was being hoisted, to be thrown upward into the main rotor. Shortly after the impact with the rotor, the helicopter plummeted into the sea. The accident resulted in two fatalities and three serious injuries.

Probable cause

The crash was caused by a malfunction in the tail rotor pitch control, resulting from progressive wear and spalling of the inner ring shoulder and the detachment of the outer ring in the tail rotor bearing. This failure rendered the pilot unable to control the aircraft's direction, leading to the loss of control.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2016-03-11 Eurocopter/AS365N3 accident near Approximately 14 nm north of RCSS, TW?

An Airbus AS365 N3 helicopter crashed into the sea near Shimen, resulting in two fatalities and three serious injuries due to a mechanical failure in the tail rotor system.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2016-03-11 involved a Eurocopter/AS365N3, at Approximately 14 nm north of RCSS, TW.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crash was caused by a malfunction in the tail rotor pitch control, resulting from progressive wear and spalling of the inner ring shoulder and the detachment of the outer ring in the tail rotor bearing. This failure rendered the pilot unable to control the aircraft's direction, leading to the loss of control.

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