# Accident 20140617012149A: Schweizer 269C-1, Allentown, PA, June 17, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 17, 2014, 12:10 local time
- Place: Allentown, PA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: Pilot school (Part 141)
- Operator: GU7S
- Location: 40.6522° N, 75.4406° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6522&lon=-75.4406&mi=10
- Aircraft: N152CC, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N152CC-2017-02-16) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schweizer 269C-1 (registry code 8059504, https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c-1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming HO-360 series (registry code 41513, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C-1
- Reported engine: LYCOMING HO-360
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 5,300 total, 35 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA14LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA293) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140617012149A

## Narrative

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

THE ATP SEL/MEL RATED PILOT IS TAKING ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT INSTRUCTION. THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED SOME SOLO PRACTICE, RETURNED TO THE TOWER CONTROLLED AIRPORT AND SET DOWN ON A TAXIWAY FOR A FREQUENCY CHANGE. SHE  EXPERIENCED SOME GROUND RESONANCE AND LIFTED THE HELICOPTER, HOVERTAXIED TO IT'S PARKING SPOT AND SET DOWN AGAIN. SHE BEGAN THE COOLDOWN CHECKLIST AND ESTIMATES THAT 15-20 SECONDS ELAPSED AFTER LOWERING THE COLLECTIVE AND APPLYING CONTROL FRICTION, THE HELICOPTER AGAIN EXPERIENCED GROUND RESONANCE. SHE FELT THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RAISE THE COLLECTIVE DUE TO THE FRICTION, AND ELECTED TO CLOSE THE THROTTLE. THE RESONANCE CONTINUED AND GOT WORSE UNTIL THE HELICOPTER DESTROYED ITSELF.

SIKORSKY (PARENT COMPANY OF AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER SHWEITZER) ENGINEERING SUGGESTS THAT THE SKID DAMPERS ARE DESIGNED TO PREVENT DIVERGENT RESONANCE, AND FUNCTION ADEQUATELY WHEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. NTSB HAS DIRECTED THE REMOVAL OF ALL SKID DAMPERS AND TRANSMITTING THEM TO SIKORSKY FOR ANALYSIS.

## 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 ERA14LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA293), Jun 17, 2014: Schweizer 269C-1 (N152CC), Allentown, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Inadequate inspection and maintenance of the helicopter’s landing gear dampers, which resulted in ground resonance during helicopter shutdown.

## Other reports on N152CC (1)

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

- [Incident 20111007025359I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111007025359I), Oct 7, 2011: Schweizer 269C-1 (N152CC), Allentown, PA, Minor damage. Pilot departed abe and was cruising at 1000' on way to xll when the engine suddenly sputtered and the helicopter yawed to the left. He immediately chose a…

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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