Originally Posted by
JokersWildMk.2
Speaks volumes as to the robustness of the S76 tail rotor design if, as has already been observed, the crew had no reason to think they'd lost any tail rotor authority. To make matters worse, one wonders if one/both AP's remained ON after the lightning strike. Be bad enough losing a couple of blades at the back end, wouldn't imagine it'd be any fun having both AP's drop at cruise speed.
so it turns out a friend of a friend was onboard. There was a loud crack/bang and the helicopter rolled to the side/pitched down violently. (A passengers version of violently may differ from crew mind you.) I speculate that when the instruments went blank from the lightning they lost all AP.
it was apparently quite startling and ‘he legit thought he was going to die’ for a few moments. Once they descended and levelled off - everything was relatively normal. No alarming vibration levels he said. He and the other pax calmed down and the 8-10 mins of the rest of the flight seemed OK. There was a holy **** moment on the ground once everyone realized the condition of the tail.