# Accident 20230701007619A: Schweizer 269C, Macclenny, FL, July 1, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 1, 2023, 12:30 local time
- Place: Macclenny, FL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 30.2758° N, 82.1267° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2758&lon=-82.1267&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9WZ, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9WZ) (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: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 4,800 total, 387 in this make and model, 85 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA23LA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA284) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230701007619A

## Narrative

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

PILOT STATED THEY STARTED THE HELICOPTER AND THOUGHT THEY FELT SOMETHING THEN LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE, PERFORME A MAGNETO CHECK AND CHECKED GAUGES, FELT FOR VIBRATION AND LISTENED FOR MALFUNCTION AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE IN ORDER.  THE PILOT STATES THEN THEY BEGAN TO RAISE THE COLLECTIVE AND INSTANTLY AN EXTREMELY VIOLENT LEFT AND RIGHT ROCKING MOTION BEGAN.  THEY THEN CONSIDERED LIFTING INTO THE AIR IN CASE IT WAS GROUND RESONANCE BUT THE MOTIOIN WAS INSTANTANIOUS AND EXTREMELY VIOLENT.  THE ROTOR STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM AND REMOVED IT FROM THE AIRCRAFT.  THE TRANSMISSION AND ROTOR MAST BROKE OFF OF THE AIRCRAFT AND WERE LAYING ON THE GROUND BEHIND THE AIRCRAFT.  THE VIDEO TAPE OF THE EVENT SHOWS TYPICAL GROUND RESONANCE AND 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 ERA23LA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA284), Jul 1, 2023: Schweizer 269C (N9WZ), Macclenny, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper maintenance of the landing gear dampers and main rotor elastomeric dampers, resulting in ground resonance during an unsuccessful takeoff attempt with the helicopter near its maximum…

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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