Pilots advised on loss of tail rotor effectiveness
The US National Transport Safety Board has issued a safety alert giving guidelines to pilots in order to avoid a loss of tail rotor effectiveness in helicopters.
The US National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a safety alert giving guidelines to pilots in order to avoid a loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE) in helicopters. According to the NTSB, LTE can occur in all single-engine, tail rotor-equipped helicopters at airspeeds lower than 30 knots.
The factors that the NTSB said can contribute to LTE include: varying airflow from the main rotor blades or from the environment, which can affect the airflow entering the tail rotor; operating at airspeeds below transitional lift; operating at high altitudes and high gross weights; operating near large buildings or ridgelines, which can cause turbulence; and the relative wind direction.
The NTSB also released a video detailing advice which can be viewed here https://www.airmedandrescue.com/story/1895