FTW84LA325

Factual narrative

THE PLT STATED THAT YAW CONTROL WAS LOST DURING CLIMB OUT FOR A LOCAL FLT WITH TWO PASSENGERS ONBOARD. THE ACFT BEGAN TOROTATE TO THE RIGHT AND THE ANTITORQUE PEDALS WERE INEFFECTIVE. THEY WERE OVER BUILDINGS AT THE TIME SO THE PLT HELD A MINIMUM DESCENT UNTIL CLEAR OF THE BUILDINGS. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO ROTATE UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. THE ACFT ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE AND CAUGHT FIRE. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT BOTH PINS IN THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE U-JOINT HAS SHEARED DUE TO UNSUFFICIENT TORQUE ON THE ACORN NUTS. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12