Aviation Crash Map

Vic Tatelman BABY BELLE N6261N

9 April 2008 · Lakeland, Florida, United States · No injuries

Summary

On 9 April 2008 at about 16:00 local time, a Vic Tatelman BABY BELLE registered N6261N was involved in an accident near Lakeland, Florida, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 16:00
Classification
Accident
Location
Lakeland, Florida, United States
Nearest airport
Lakeland Linder Regional Airpo (KLAL)
Coordinates
27.9941, -82.0149
Aircraft
Vic Tatelman BABY BELLE
Registration
N6261N
Category
Helicopter
Engines
1
Operator
Not recorded
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Air Race/Show
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Lakeland → Lakeland
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
CHI08LA104

People

Nobody was injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 0 1

Probable cause

The failure of the tailrotor driveshaft hanger bearing and jamming of the tailrotor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was demonstrating a hovering maneuver during an airshow. During this maneuver, the helicopter began an uncommanded left turn and landed hard causing substantial damage. Inspection revealed that the #1 tailrotor drive shaft hanger bearing failed, then the tailrotor RPM sensor broke loose, and the tailrotor became jammed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

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