# Accident 20170427021499A: Schweizer 269C, Florance, AZ, April 27, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 27, 2017, 10:00 local time
- Place: Florance, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: Pilot school (Part 141)
- Operator: 9YDS
- Location: 32.9778° N, 111.5175° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9778&lon=-111.5175&mi=10
- Aircraft: N521AR, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N521AR-2019-03-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schweizer 269C (registry code 8059502, https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A (registry code 41893, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-d1a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C
- Reported engine: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 154 total, 130 in this make and model, 48 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR17LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA093) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170427021499A

## Narrative

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

ON APRIL 27, 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 1000 MST, N521AR, A SCHWEITZER 269C HELICOPTER, SERIAL NUMBER S1785, MADE A HARD LANDING IN A COW PASTURE NEAR FLORENCE, AZ.  THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND THE PILOT, WHO WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT, SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. IN A STATEMENT FROM THE PILOT, HE REPORTS THAT JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WHILE IN CRUISE AT APPROXIMATELY 2000-2100 FEET MSL AND 65-70 KNOTS THE ENGINE ?SOUNDED DIFFERENT? AND HE NOTICED THE ENGINE AND ROTOR RPM?S HAD DROPPED.  HE THEN TWISTED THE THROTTLE TO INCREASE ENGINE POWER, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE.  HE HAD LOST ALTITUDE AND PICKED A SPOT TO TOUCHDOWN.  HE FLARED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND HARD AT WHICH POINT, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE.  THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX AND BLADES DEPARTED FROM THE TAILBOOM AND THE TAILBOOM WAS BROKEN FROM THE FUSELAGE.  THE LANDING GEAR SKIDS EXHIBITED IMPACT DAMAGE.  THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES EXHIBITED ROTATIONAL DAMAGE.

## 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 WPR17LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA093), Apr 27, 2017: Schweizer 269C (N521AR), Coolidge, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to separation of the throttle cable.

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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