Accident Bell 505 VH-VTB, Friday 15 July 2022

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Date:	Friday 15 July 2022
Time:	16:19
Type:	Bell 505
Owner/operator:	Nautilus Aviation
Registration:	VH-VTB
MSN:	65031
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Cairns Airport, QLD (CNS/YBCS) - Australia
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Passenger - Non-Scheduled/charter/Air Taxi
Departure airport:	Radisson Pier (YRAP)
Destination airport:	Cairns Airport, QLD (CNS/YBCS)
Investigating agency:	ATSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
the Bell 505 helicopter registered VH-VTB was conducting a scenic flight near Double Island, Queensland, with a pilot and 2 passengers on board. About 30 minutes into the flight, the pilot heard 2 brief, loud ‘grinding noises’ and elected to proceed to Cairns Airport.

While over the airfield, the grinding began again and did not stop. After 10-12 seconds, approximately 10 ft off the ground, the pilot heard 2 loud bangs, and the helicopter yawed to the right. In response, the pilot moved the throttle to idle, which stopped the yaw. A run-on landing was performed on the grass short of the assigned helipad. Subsequent inspection of the helicopter revealed that the tail rotor driveshaft had failed.

Contributing factor:
- During landing, the forward fan shaft bearing seized and overheated, resulting in failure of the fan shaft.

Accident investigation: