# Accident 20180613007719A: Schweizer 269C, North Las Vegas, NV, June 13, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 13, 2018, 10:59 local time
- Place: North Las Vegas, NV
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Run-Up Area
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.2106° N, 115.1944° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2106&lon=-115.1944&mi=10
- Aircraft: N557DC, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N557DC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schweizer 269C (registry code 8059502, https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming HIO-360 series (registry code 41524, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C
- Reported engine: LYCOMING HIO-360 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 75 total, 72 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR18LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA170) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180613007719A

## Narrative

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

ON JUNE 13, 2018 AT APPROXIMATELY 1146 PST, AT NORTH LAS VEGAS AIRPORT (KVGT), A 1993 SCHWEIZER 269C SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DUE TO GROUND RESONANCE.

THE AIRCRAFT WAS PARKED ON THE SOUTH RAMP IN A MARKED HELICOPTER PAD WHERE THE PILOT WAS PREPARING TO LIFT INTO A HOVER.  THE PILOT STATED THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO VIBRATE PRIOR TO BECOMING LIGHT ON THE SKIDS.  AS THE VIBRATIONS INCREASED, THE PILOT LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE.

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE VIBRATIONS BECAME EVEN MORE SEVERE FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 40 SECONDS UNTIL THE ROTOR BLADES CAME TO A STOP DUE TO SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE VIBRATIONS.

AN INSPECTION OF THE FOUR LANDING GEAR DAMPERS AND THE ONLY UNDAMGED ROTOR OLEO ELASTOMERIC DAMPER, ALL TESTED WITHIN ALLOWED TOLERANCES.

## 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 WPR18LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA170), Jun 13, 2018: Schweizer 269C (N557DC), Las Vegas, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to take the appropriate corrective action for ground resonance, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.

## Other reports on N557DC (3)

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

- [Incident 20151003019329I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151003019329I), Oct 3, 2015: Schweizer 269C (N557DC), Las Vegas, NV, Minor damage. Helicopter conducted an aerial photo flight of another helicopter that was in flight. The pilot stated she had difficulty maintaining altitude and conducted a…
- [Incident 20081126854739I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081126854739I), Nov 26, 2008: Hughes 269C (N557DC), Miami, FL, No damage. (-23) During a 14CFR 141 training flight the instructor pilot heard a bang (pop) sound from engine and noticed an engine RPM drop. The engine was running rough…
- [Accident 19971014046019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971014046019A), Oct 14, 1997: Hughes 269C (N557DC), Grand Forks, ND, No damage. (-23) The private pilot was conducting a solo cross-country night flight operation in preparation for his commercial helicopter rating. He departed Grand Forks…

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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