# NTSB ATL91LA096: Schweizer 269C, N7507J, Rock Hill, SC, May 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1991, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Rock Hill, SC
- Coordinates: 34.92971, -81.019172 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9297&lon=-81.0192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA096

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO A POISONOUS SNAKE IN THE COCKPIT AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - object - animal(s) (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS FLYING AN AERIAL OBSERVATION FLIGHT.  HE TURNED ON THE COCKPIT HEAT.  A COPPERHEAD SNAKE EMERGED FROM THE HEAT VENT NEAR HIS FEET.  AS THE PILOT MANEUVERED TOWARDS A LANDING AREA, THE SNAKE APPEARED POISED TO STRIKE.  HE TRIED TO STEP ON THE SNAKE WITH HIS FOOT AND SUBSEQUENTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER.  THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED TREES AND TERRAIN AND WAS DESTROYED.  THE SNAKE WAS NOT FOUND AFTER THE ACCIDENT.  DRUG, ALCOHOL, AND SNAKE VENOM TESTING ON THE PILOT WAS NEGATIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7507J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7507J-2002-11-22), registration cancelled 2002-11-22, S/N S1364 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 269C
- Registry model: [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (registry code 8059502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: S1364
- Airframe hours: 2056
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Dooley Helicopters, Inc., doing business as Dme Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Dooley Helicopters, Inc.
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 14, 1991, 12 hours before
- Departed: 29J
- Destination: GMU, GREENVILLE, SC
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,700 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 5,660 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 13 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 19910520016589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910520016589A), May 20, 1991: Hughes 269C, Rock Hill, SC, Destroyed. Crashed into trees on buried cable patrol. Report snake in cockpit caused loss of control during forced landing.

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.

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