# NTSB ATL05CA127: Schweizer 269C-1, N301MG, Landrum, SC, July 9, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 9, 2005, 11:05 local (15:05 UTC) - Place: Landrum, SC - Coordinates: 35.157222, -82.122222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1572&lon=-82.1222&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Columbia FSDO-13 - NTSB case key (mKey): 61943 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61943/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA127 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of the flight controls (collective pitch and cylic controls) during a take off to a hover resulting in the helicopter encountering dynamic roll over and rolling over on its right side. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - cyclic - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - collective - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - Roll over, takeoff - terrain condition - ground - terrain condition - wet ## Analysis The pilot stated he made an approach to the sod area adjacent to runway 32 and he was not aware of the fact that the sod area was wet and soft. He applied collective pitch abruptly as he was taking off to a hover. The left skid became airborne and the right skid remained on the ground. The helicopter encountered dynamic roll over before the pilot could apply collective pitch and lateral cyclic. The helicopter rolled over on its right side. The pilot stated there were no anomalies with the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly and accessories. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 2005, at 1105 eastern daylight time a Schweizer 269C-1, N301MG, registered to MG Aviation Inc. as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, rolled over on its right side while taking off to a hover. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter received substantial damage. The airline transport rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Fairview Airport, Landrum, South Carolina, on July 9, 2005, at 1105. The pilot stated he initially departed from Greenville, South Carolina and flew around the local area before landing at Landrum, South Carolina. Upon arrival , he made an approach to the sod area adjacent to runway 32. The pilot stated he was not aware of the fact that the sod area was wet and soft. He applied collective pitch abruptly as he was taking off to a hover. The left skid became airborne and the right skid remained on the ground. The helicopter rolled over on the right side before he could apply collective pitch and lateral cyclic. The pilot stated there were no anomalies with the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly, and accessories. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 90-87, Helicopter Dynamic Roll Over states, "During normal or slope take offs and landings with same degree of bank angle or side drip with the skid/wheel on the ground, the bank angle or side drift can place the helicopter in a situation where it is pivoting (rolling) about a skid/wheel which is still in contact with the ground. When this happens, lateral cyclic control response becomes more sluggish and less effective than for a free hovering helicopter. Consequently if a roll rate is permitted to develop, a critical bank angle (the angle between the helicopter and the horizon) may be reached where roll can not be corrected, even with full lateral cyclic, and the helicopter will roll over onto its right side." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N301MG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N301MG), registered now, S/N 0157 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer 269C-1 - Registry model: [Schweizer 269C-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c-1) (registry code 8059504) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0157 - Airframe hours: 1040 - Engines: Lycoming HO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: MG Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2005, 41 hours before - Departed: 33A, Landrum, CA - Destination: GMU, Greenville, SC - Airport: 33A, Fairview, runway 320, 2,770 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2005; seat: right; flight hours: 2,894 total, 46 in this make and model, 57 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: GSP, 16 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20050709012959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050709012959A), Jul 9, 2005: Hughes 269C1, Landrum, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) At the Landrum airport, Landrum SC (33A) on July 9, 2005 at approximately 11:05 am local time a schweitzer 269C-1, N301MG, rolled over (dynamic rollover)… 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.