# Accident 20120626010919A: Schweizer(Hughes)Aircraft Corp TH55A/269A, Grinnell, IA, June 26, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 26, 2012, 12:15 local time
- Place: Grinnell, IA
- Airport: Grinnell Regional
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.7058° N, 92.7347° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7058&lon=-92.7347&mi=10
- Aircraft: N488MC, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N488MC-2021-03-20) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schweizer TH55A/269A (registry code 8059503, https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-th55a-269a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER(HUGHES)AIRCRAFT CORP TH55A/269A
- Reported engine: LYCOMING I0360 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 8,718 total, 47 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN12CA402](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA402) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120626010919A

## Narrative

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

ON JUNE 26, 2012, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ DEPARTED NEW SHARON IN N488MC, ENROUTE TO GGI WITH A PASSENGER.  APPROXIMATLEY 1215 LOCAL, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ MADE AN APPROACH TO A GRASSY AREA ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE RAMP INTO THE WIND.  ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ ESTABLISHED A HOVER AND MADE A TURN SO THE WIND WAS BLOWING INTO THE TAIL.  AS THE TAIL WAS GOING AROUND, THE WIND BLEW THE TAIL, AND THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A RIGHT SPIN.  ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ REPORTED THAT HE WAS AT THE MECHANICAL STOPS ON THE LEFT PEDAL.  THE HELICOPTER SPUN AROUND TWO-THREE TIMES AND SETTLED INTO THE FENCE.  THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES HIT THE FENCE.  THERE WERE NO INJURIES.  THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER.

## 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 CEN12CA402](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA402), Jun 26, 2012: Schweizer TH55A/269A (N488MC), Grinnell, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the wind during a hovering maneuver, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and directional control.

## Other reports on N488MC (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20050811018899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050811018899A), Aug 11, 2005: Hughes 269A (N488MC), Ashland, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) While practicing autorotations student pilot lost control and helo flipped over. Time of accident: 1753 PDT, 0053 UTC. 2 POB, no injuries, substantial…

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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