Originally Posted by
ettore
According to the NYT
Some observations, not assumptions:
1. Rotor, transmission, transmission mounts and roof structure all in one detached assembly. If roof was structurally sound, more force would be required to cause this violent separation than a blade strike on the tail boom would impart. If the roof structure were compromised by corrosion, then the rotor and transmission could have asymmetrically separated causing abnormal rotor plane displacement relative to the fuselage.
2. Mast appears bent and/or twisted (could be damage from water impact)
3. At least one pitch change rod missing
4. Damage in photo is consistent with (not indicative of) MGB seizure
5. Reported MGB chip detection and analysis in preceding months is congruent with this failure tree.