Tail rotor failure — Airbus H125, alpine tourism operation

Summary

An Airbus H125 conducting a scenic tourism flight near Falls Creek experienced a sudden tail rotor drive shaft failure. The pilot executed an autorotation landing in a cleared area near the ski resort. All three passengers and the pilot were uninjured; the helicopter sustained substantial tail boom damage.

Investigation Findings (4)

1. 01Drive shaft failure was caused by fatigue cracking at a coupling interface.
2. 02The coupling had been replaced during the previous 100-hour inspection but the replacement part had a latent manufacturing defect.
3. 03Airbus Helicopters issued an immediate Emergency Service Bulletin for inspection of the coupling on all H125 aircraft.
4. 04CASA issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive mandating immediate inspection before further flight.