rodrop Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 I have been reading a little bit about tail rotor failures. I am just curious if anyone has any real life experiences with this problem...inflight or on the ground prior to flight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trans Lift Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 The only person I know that had a full tail rotor failure was an ex-instructor of mine in Ireland. He was demonstrating a downwind approach and it happened 50ft AGL. It was in a 300CBI and he put in on the ground without damage. You might find it interesting to read the report. Report 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gomer Pylot Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 (edited) Not personally. In 40+ years, I've never had one. I know of them happening, though. A 214ST had one on the pad once, after maintenance forgot to connect everything, and it spun several times when the pilot rolled the throttle up for a check. That was exciting. Edited September 10, 2011 by Gomer Pylot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodrop Posted September 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 Wonderful report Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodrop Posted September 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 Not personally. In 40+ years, I've never had one. I know of them happening, though. A 214ST had one on the pad once, after maintenance forgot to connect everything, and it spun several times when the pilot rolled the throttle up for a check. That was exciting. That's crazy. I would guess there are more challenges with loss of tail rotor effectiveness then an actual Tail Rotor Failure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C of G Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 (edited) A good friend of mine had one on take off in Orlando. Landed it in a loading dock and got out and asked the dock worker for a smoke while waiting for the blades to stop. (A bit of an exaggeration, but extremely well done.) You should hear the first hand account. He made eye contact with the guy mid flare. Slid to a stop right in front of the dock with not a scratch on it. Apparently the splines stripped on the t/r driveshaft. Edited September 10, 2011 by C of G 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodrop Posted September 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 A good friend of mine had one on take off in Orlando. Landed it in a loading dock and got out and asked the dock worker for a smoke while waiting for the blades to stop. (A bit of an exaggeration, but extremely well done.) You should hear the first hand account. He made eye contact with the guy mid flare. Slid to a stop right in front of the dock with not a scratch on it. Apparently the splines stripped on the t/r driveshaft. I wonder whose (fish) story got bigger? The pilot or the dock worker when they told their friends??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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