Probable cause
The failure of a tail rotor driveshaft coupling due to fatigue.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that while in cruise flight, the rear of the helicopter suddenly began to vibrate. He performed an autorotation to a field, and the helicopter landed hard. The tailboom and main transmission mounts were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that a tail rotor driveshaft coupling had split in half, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor drive. Postaccident examination of the tail rotor driveshaft coupling revealed that the coupling failure was initiated by fatigue cracking. A complete history of the part was not available; therefore, the total time in service of the part could not be determined.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12LA341 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 31, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Cody, Wyoming
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Fairchild Hiller FH-1100
- N-number
- N5038F
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 1969
- 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.