Pilot Escapes Helicopter Crash in New York

A pilot narrowly escapes a helicopter crash in New York City, New York, when the helicopter he was flying was experiencing unusual vibration on January 18, 2010.

The pilot was on a cruise flight near Chelsea Pier, when he experienced the vibrations coming from the airframe, the anti-torque pedals, and cyclic.  He landed the helicopter at the West 30th Street Heliport (JRA).  The vibrations remained constant throughout the flight and increased upon landing as the rotor’s rpms’ were decreasing.

Upon successful landing of the helicopter, representatives of Liberty Helicopter and the FAA inspected the helicopter for damage. Inspection revealed a hole in the right side of the tail boom and the tail cone was also damaged. Also found was the pitch change link of one tail rotor blade which was not connected to the blade control horn. The FAA retained the tail rotor for further examination.

Maintenance records on January 11, 2010, revealed the tail rotor pitch change spider bearing was taken off and replaced because it is a life limited item.