Probable cause
The failure of the tail rotor drive shaft at the coupling due to torsionally applied shear stress.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was conducting a local flight when just prior to touchdown, the helicopter began to spin to the right and made an uncommanded climb and spin to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder pedal, but the helicopter continued to spin to the right. He lowered the collective and landed hard on the skids, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed the tail rotor driveshaft was separated and free to spin inside the coupling. Metallurgical examination of the driveshaft revealed the bolt holes in the driveshaft were distorted, consistent with torsional shear-stress in the clockwise direction.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21LA339 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 21, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Port Orange, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Spruce Creek (7FL6)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Enstrom 280
- N-number
- N9285
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1978
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.