# Accident 20070303003439A: Hughes 269C, Columbus, PA, March 3, 2007

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 3, 2007, 16:00 local time
- Place: Columbus, PA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.9533° N, 79.5300° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9533&lon=-79.5300&mi=10
- Aircraft: N515JM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 2,800 total, 353 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC07CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA070) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070303003439A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON MARCH 3, 2007, A SCHWEIZER-269-C, U.S. REGISTRATION N515JM, MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A FIELD DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS (SNOW AND VISIBILITY). WHEN THE PILOT WAS APPROACHING THE GROUND, A WHITE-OUT OF SNOW FROM THE HELICOPTER'S ROTOR-WASH CAUSED THE PILOT TO LOSE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS. THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A DYNAMIC ROLL-OVER ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE PILOT WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT AND UNINJURED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC07CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA070), Mar 3, 2007: Schweizer 269-C (N515JM), Columbus, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to continue the landing attempt in whiteout conditions, which resulted in his disorientation, and the helicopter's subsequent dynamic rollover. Factors included the…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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