Agusta Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 35; Flight Crew Total 8000; Flight Crew Type 75
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
While on leg one of an eight leg training flight; utilized the Ice Protection System. We had a Tail Rotor Degraded (half the tail rotor blades not being heated) caution light and switched system off. Turned system on again after 10 minutes; system operated OK then Tail Rotor Degraded Caution light again. Switched system off and left off for remaining seven legs. No other cockpit indications. Between leg three and leg four stopped for fuel. No abnormalities seen during walk around pre-flight. Continued leg four through leg eight. Subsequent maintenance post flight inspection revealed electrical arcing to the tail rotor assembly.
A-139 flight crew experienced inflight failure of tail rotor deicing system. Post flight inspection revealed electrical arcing in tail rotor assembly.