ZACHARY, LA, USA
N739B
BELL 47G
THE TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT DURING PRACTICE AUTOROTATION. THE ACFT BEGAN TO SPIN RAPIDLY AND NOSE DOWN. INCREASING THE POWER BROUGHT THE NOSE UP BUT INCREASED THE SPEED OF ROTATION. THE ACFT HIT ON ONE SKID STILL IN A RAPID SPIN. THE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE WRECKAGE AND CRAWL AWAY. THE TAILROTOR GEAR BOX WAS FOUND 100 YDS AWAY. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE GEARBOX STUDS HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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