# NTSB ANC06CA090: Schweizer 300C, N1831A, Titusville, FL, July 12, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 12, 2006, 17:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Titusville, FL - Coordinates: 28.535554, -80.901664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5356&lon=-80.9017&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 64110 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06CA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64110/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA090 ## Probable cause The failure of the certificated flight instructor (CFI) to maintain control of the helicopter, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. A factor associated with the accident was the dual student's improper use of the cyclic trim. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, hover - in ground effect - improper use of equipment/aircraft, dual student (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The first pilot, a certificated helicopter flight instructor, was providing primary helicopter flight instruction to the second pilot, a certificated commercial airplane pilot. The first pilot said that while in a stable 3-foot hover above ground, he asked the second pilot to relinquish control of the helicopter so he could demonstrate a maneuver. During the transfer of control, the cyclic slipped from the first pilot's hand, and the cyclic traveled to a full forward position. The helicopter pitched nose down, and the main rotor blades struck the ground. The helicopter subsequently rolled to the right, and sustained substantial damage to the main rotor drive system, main rotor blades, and fuselage. A postaccident inspection of the helicopter revealed that the second pilot had inadvertently selected the cyclic trim system to the full forward position. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the helicopter. ## Factual narrative The first pilot, a certificated helicopter flight instructor, was providing primary helicopter flight instruction to the second pilot, a certificated commercial airplane pilot. The first pilot said that while in a stable 3-foot hover above ground, he asked the second pilot to relinquish control of the helicopter so he could demonstrate a maneuver. During the transfer of control, the cyclic slipped from the first pilot's hand, and the cyclic traveled to a full forward position. The helicopter pitched nose down, and the main rotor blades struck the ground. The helicopter subsequently rolled to the right, and sustained substantial damage to the main rotor drive system, main rotor blades, and fuselage. A postaccident inspection of the helicopter revealed that the second pilot had inadvertently selected the cyclic trim system to the full forward position. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1831A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1831A-2021-01-30), registration cancelled 2021-01-30, S/N 0228, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer 300C - Registry model: [Schweizer 269C-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c-1) (registry code 8059504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360-G1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-g1a) (registry code 41898, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0228 - Airframe hours: 412 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-G1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Helicopter Adventures Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 2006, 25 hours before - Departed: TIX, TITUSVILLE, FL - Destination: TIX, Titusville, FL - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 26; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 268 total, 201 in this make and model, 204 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 36; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 372 total, 2 in this make and model, 340 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## Other investigations on N1831A (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 ERA19LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA245), Aug 11, 2019: Schweizer 269C (N1831A), Allentown, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Inadequate maintenance of the helicopter’s magnetos, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to a failure of the left magneto and malfunction of the right… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.